Hay River (Sep 25/06) - Volunteer firefighter Brian "Chaby" Morin didn't know the danger he was walking into when he arrived at his Hay River home, early in the morning on Sept. 22.

When Morin entered his bathroom he discovered flames coming from the ceiling.

"He was able to get out with minor injuries," Fire Chief Trent Atwell said.

"He had a few minor burns on his back."

Morin was taken to hospital, but was not kept overnight.

The trailer, located in Rowe's Trailer Park, however, was destroyed in the blaze.

Members of the Hay River Fire Department arrived on the scene at about 1:30 a.m. and found flames coming through the windows, doorways and roof.

"The damage to the front of the trailer is very extensive," Atwell said. "It's beyond repair."

The fire chief noted there might be a few personal items that could be salvageable in the back of the trailer, but what didn't burn would have suffered smoke or water damage.

"It would be close to a complete loss."

There is no estimate on the cost of damage to the home, which was not insured.

Atwell said the cause of the fire has not been determined and is under investigation by the department.

However, a cause may never be found because of the intensity of the fire, he added. "It's going to be hard to pinpoint where it started."

When contacted at a relative's home on Saturday, Morin said he was not ready to talk about the fire, explaining, "It hasn't hit me yet."

Atwell said a fire is something that can happen to anyone at any time.

"It does make it hard, in a way, when you show up on the scene and realize it's one of your own," the fire chief said. "But at the same time, we have a job to do.

"We have to get ourselves focused and get the job done."

The fire department has set out to help Morin, who lived alone.

Donation boxes for clothes and food have been set up outside the fire hall.

In addition, the department has established a fund at the Hay River branches of the Royal Bank and the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to collect financial support for Morin.

Warren Gibb, Hay River's deputy fire chief, said firefighters in Yellowknife, Inuvik, Fort Smith and Fort Simpson have also been asked to help out in any way they can. "Whatever the kindness of their hearts dictates."

Morin has served on the Hay River Fire Department for eight years.