Residents are being told to avoid the area around Selkirk Avenue as the local fire department work to extinguish the blaze.

 

RCMP says they responded to the fire at the downtown storefront clinic at 15 Selkirk Avenue just before 2 a.m, and set up a perimeter around the area as Thompson Fire and EMS brought down the fire.

 

The fire started up again in the same location at around 5 a.m. and several business at the strip mall have since been engulfed in flames. The city's fire crews are attending to the building with three pumper trucks on site. Eye witness reports state the Vale fire department have arrived at the scene to assist as well.

 

The Northern Health Region recently opened the NHR Wellness Connection Clinic, which houses the STBBI and reproductive health programming under Public Health. It previously served as a COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic over the course of the pandemic.

 

The health authority says all equipment and supplies have been destroyed and no injuries have been reported. It adds staff are in the process of relocating to the Thompson Clinic until a more permanent contingent space can be found.

 

The NHR states walk-in appointments for the Wellness Connection Centre will be available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are not required. Clients of the clinic needing to speak with a public health murse can call 204-677-5350 for more information.

 

Police say the fire doesn’t appear suspicious in nature and the Office of the Fire Commissioner was notified.

 

The city has closed Selkirk Avenue to traffic until the area is safe.