2:33 p.m. update
At 1:01 p.m., Heather Bekar, the president of the Tagish Community Association, shared a statement regarding the fire to Facebook.
Bekar said the fire "engulfed" the community centre last night. She said the loss is deeply saddening as, "the Centre has been a gathering place for so many in our community."
All scheduled activities and events at the centre are cancelled until further notice, she said.
12:15 p.m. update
Yukon government leaders are offering support after a fire "destroyed" the Tagish Community Centre early on the morning of March 12.
A statement attributed to Premier Ranj Pillai, Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn and John Streicker, the MLA for Mount-Lorne Southern Lakes, describes the "heartbreaking loss" for the community as a result of the recent fire.
"The centre was at the heart of life in Tagish," the leaders are quoted saying.
The statement indicates the Yukon government is still learning about what happened when a fire broke out at the community centre this morning.
The leaders acknowledged the loss and expressed gratitude for the firefighters that responded.
"Their swift action helped prevent further damage and we deeply appreciate their dedication to keeping the community safe," reads the statement.
"We want the people of Tagish to know that when the community is ready, our government is committed to rebuilding a new community space that meets local needs. In the coming days, we will be reaching out to listen, understand priorities and work together to create a space that reflects the vision of the community."
The community centre served as a place to host community dinners and pancake breakfasts and fitness classes and youth programming and acted as a meeting place for coffee, celebrations and support, per the release.
Original story
Yukon Protective Services is reporting that the Tagish Community Centre in Tagish is currently on fire, as of 10:15 a.m. on March 12.
In a Facebook post, the territorial agency said the structure is "fully involved," and firefighters from Marsh Lake Fire Rescue, as well as volunteer fire departments from Tagish, Golden Horn, Carcross and Mount Lorne are on scene to extinguish the fire. Special Heavy Operations Team is also on scene, according to the post.
The agency asks residents to avoid the area until further notice. Library services, housed within the Tagish Community Centre, are closed today.
This article will be updated with additional information as it becomes available.
Contact Talar Stockton at talar.stockton@yukon-news.com
