YELLOWKNIFE - A man who lost everything when fire consumed his trailer last Thursday now has something to call his own: a bill from the fire department.

The remains of Serge Mercier's trailer, just off of Highway 3, 20 kilometres out of Yellowknife. A plane flying overhead saw the fire last Thursday night and contacted the fire department. - Jessica Klinkenberg/NNSL photo

Serge Mercier wasn't home when his trailer, located 20-kilometres outside Yellowknife, caught fire.

The flames and smoke were spotted by a pilot flying overhead who reported it to the Yellowknife Fire Department.

However they arrived too late to save Mercier's home.

Mercier said he has received a bill from the Yellowknife Fire Department for responding to the call, which he doesn't understand.

"I didn't call them out there," he said.

He didn't know what had happened until he returned to his trailer.

"The RCMP were there in the morning when I came back home."

Mercier said his trailer and shop were destroyed. In his shop there was a truck he was working on rebuilding.

"I spent a lot of money on it," he said.

Mercier's tone was flat when speaking of the fire.

"I don't know what I'm going to do," he said.

Mercier had moved to the secluded spot just off of the highway a few years ago.

"I lived out there for three years, it was a pretty nice spot."

Mercier lost everything in the fire, and is staying with friends.

"I have one change of clothes with me," he said.

Mercier said he's considering renting an apartment in Yellowknife, but nothing will replace what he had at the trailer.

He didn't have insurance either, which means that he's back at square one.

Mercier has no interest in returning to the ruined home.

"I haven't spent much time over there, it doesn't matter to me, it's just a burned-down trailer now."

However Mercier is unhappy to see the truck he had been working on rebuilding destroyed.

"It had a brand new engine in it."

The Yellowknife Fire Department was unavailable for comment by press time.