INUVIK - A tube of toothpaste, a deodorant stick and a charred can of tomato sauce were just a few of the items scattered around a tiny scorched opening in a wooded area just a few hundred feet from Parkview Manor on Saturday afternoon.

Up until early Saturday morning the location was occupied by two unidentified men who RCMP believe left a camp fire unattended. The resulting blaze destroyed one of the makeshift homes and spread within a contained area before firefighters arrived at about 6:30 a.m.

Firefighters Mike Orbell and Justin Digby finish extinguishing the blaze that destroyed a homeless man's tent near Parkview Manor on Saturday afternoon. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

The neighbouring makeshift tent, covered only by a plastic tarpaulin, was spared. It contained a few articles of clothing, a mattress and garbage strewn about.

"It's part of the homeless problem in Inuvik," said Julie Miller, Inuvik's deputy fire chief. "Just look around and see what people are reduced to living in."

Miller was among a crew of five volunteer firefighters who returned to the location at about 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon after the fire resurfaced. Al German, fire chief, said even though the fire appeared to be extinguished, it continued to burn underneath the tundra.

The original fire was reported by RCMP, which notified the department and apprehended two intoxicated men who were found on the scene.

Cpl. Sean Doornbos said the fire was a result of carelessness and there was no evidence of malicious intent.

Miller agreed and said she hopes the incident will draw attention to the growing homeless population in the town.

"It's sad to see because it's someone's entire life right here, which should be contained within four walls," she said.

"It goes to show how serious the homeless situation is here and that something has to be done about it."