INUVIK
The bravery of two Inuvik brothers was saluted May 3 by the RCMP and the Inuvik Fire Department.
Inuvik RCMP Cpl. Mark Phillips, left, and Inuvik Fire Chief Jim Sawkins, far right, presented bravery awards to Teddy Angusak and Larry Angusak Jr. May 3. The boys rescued their sister Alexa Day from a fire on Oct. 16, 2011. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo
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Larry Angasuk Jr. and Teddy Angasuk were presented with certificates of appreciation from the RCMP by Cpl. Mark Phillips and Inuvik Fire Chief Jim Sawkins for their selfless actions during a fatal fire at their home Oct. 16, 2011.
"It feels pretty good to get this today," Larry said. "I feel very brave."
The blaze broke out about 6:30 a.m. in the living room of their home at 9 Dolphin St.
The boys – Larry was then 15 and Teddy 11 – heard the smoke alarm and roused the rest of their family. As the house was being evacuated, the brothers realized their two younger siblings, Alexa Day, then 11 months old, and Lily, then 18 months, were still in the house.
They immediately ran back in to the house to try to rescue the girls.
Fire Chief Jim Sawkins, who was on his first day on the job, said he was told conditions were "unbearable" at that point. He wasn't present at the scene but was flying in to begin work that day. He nominated the brothers for the award.
Larry was able to find Alexa and fled outside with her. Teddy remained in the house trying to make his way to Lily.
As the fire roared higher, Teddy was forced to retreat from the house, suffering third-degree burns.
Two RCMP constables, Todd Glemser and Andrew Aucoin, then ran into the house. Glemser found Lily and brought her out. Unfortunately, she was later pronounced dead at the Inuvik Regional Hospital.
"Things are in the past now and you can't change them," Larry said, acknowledging it was a bittersweet moment to receive the award.
Teddy was was treated at Inuvik Regional Hospital as well, and was then flown to the Edmonton Burn Facility to receive treatment for his injuries.
Sawkins said both the boys and the constable plunged into a fire he described as extreme, which even firefighters would have had difficulty managing.
"Without care for their own safety, their quick heroic actions enabled three adults and four children to survive the fire."
Teddy has since recovered from his injuries. He had little to say following the presentation of the certificates May 3 other than he is now feeling fine.
