Paulatuk (Jul 03/06) - There was little firefighters could do as an old, empty building burned to the ground in Paulatuk this past Thursday.

The blaze was called in at about 2:50 a.m. June 29, but with a limited supply of water, the 10 volunteer firefighters made sure the flames didn't spread.

"Their water trucks could only hold so much water, so it turned into a controlled burn," said RCMP Const. Leif Svendsen.

No injuries were reported as a result of the fire, and no causes have been determined, said Svendsen.

Fire Chief Keith Dodge, who has been in the community for the past 18 years, said the structure used to serve as a co-op store.

"It was built in 1977, and was maintained by the co-op until a local man bought it from them," said Dodge.

The actual building was a residential trailer, with an addition built to the front, which was used as a general store.

"That store had everything, before the Hudson's Bay set up shop," recalled Dodge.

"They had everything from sewing needles to anchors."

Since the business closed its doors, the building has been only known as "the old store" by residents.

Dodge said the only option for the blaze, was to let it die out naturally.

"We kept watering it, and monitored the fire until 10 a.m. to make sure it was fully out," said Dodge. "It was an old dried out building that was past its time."

Now all that stands in the old store lot is a pile of burned rubble, said Dodge.

"We're still watching the site, for safety's sake," said Dodge.

The scraps will be brought out to the dump early this week by a crew from the hamlet.