St. John’s, N.L. (October 23, 2024) – Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville-Port au Port issued the following statement after the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that human remains were found in the rubble of the Driftwood Inn on Wednesday morning.

“I was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic discovery of human remains following the devastating fire at the Driftwood Inn in Deer Lake. My heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim.

I extend my sincere thanks to the hero who alerted sleeping parents and children after waking to smoke-filled hallways. I commend the brave first responders, fire crews, and police who worked tirelessly for over 16 hours to battle the fire and continue investigating the cause of this tragedy. Our thoughts remain with them as they carry out this difficult work, and we stand ready to support the community of Deer Lake during this challenging time.

Serious questions have been raised about the fire, and the people deserve answers. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial that we give space for those involved to complete their work. A thorough investigation must be conducted to determine the cause and prevent such tragedies in the future. It is also incumbent upon the government to release these findings to the public in a timely manner. The safety of our communities is paramount, and we must all come together to support each other in times like these.”

 

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