INUVIK - A MacDonald Manor resident had to be treated for smoke inhalation after passing out in his apartment, leaving boiling wieners unattended early Easter Sunday morning.

Cpl. Kent Pike of the Inuvik RCMP said the man, who he did not identify, had been drinking and was unresponsive when police arrived at the Mackenzie Road location at about 3 a.m.

A resident at MacDonald Manor was treated for smoke inhalation while the building was evacuated during the early morning hours of Easter Sunday. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Officers gained access to his first floor apartment by kicking in the door. The man was taken to hospital.

"Basically he was cooking some hotdogs," said Pike. "He passed out and the pot went dry."

Residents notified police after hearing the fire alarm and spotting smoke in the hallway. The two storey building was evacuated for about 30 minutes while the fire department cleared the smoke inside the apartment unit.

Pike said the incident produced a lot of smoke but no signs of a significant fire.

But he said nurses told police the man could have been in grave danger if they hadn't responded to the incident in a timely manner.

Tenants Christine and Jenel Zabala, who live in the apartment directly across the hall, said they were sleeping at the time of the incident and were woken by police officers pounding on the door.

They saw the smoke upon answering the door.

"We were asked to get dressed and leave immediately," Jenel said.

Residents were directed away from the fire exit located immediately beside their apartment.

In the event of a fire in their unit, the Zabalas family said they're concerned about getting out safely because the closest fire exit is located outside their front entrance.

"It worries me," said Christine Zabalas. "Maybe we would have to smash the window."