by Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

FORT SIMPSON (Apr 17/98) - No one was hurt after an early morning fire struck a building at Checkpoint Saturday morning.

The blaze, which engulfed the operation's generator and its building, began around 8 a.m. and lasted about two hours.

"When I first noticed it, there was lots of smoke coming out the edge of the roof," Checkpoint owner Wayne McKay said. "I grabbed the fire extinguisher and attacked the fire from the doorway. I ran for more extinguishers and help. I was gone maybe two minutes and the flames were now coming out the roof."

Visitor Gerald Antoine and two motel guests quickly responded to McKay's shouts for assistance and the team made sure that no other part of the restaurant, motel and gas station was damaged.

"Nobody got hurt," McKay said.

Though out of power until about 4 p.m., propane stoves ensured that the restaurant kept serving customers.

"People said the coffee tasted like bush coffee (after being done on top of the stove)," McKay said with a chuckle.

Nogha Enterprises in Fort Simpson were quick to appear on the scene to get new power lines hooked up.

McKay said the experience has taught him the value of having adequate insurance when living in such an isolated location. He also said it has made him consider purchasing an even bigger fire extinguisher.