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Burning furniture
by Derek Neary
NNSL (Jan 23/98) - The Yellowknife fire department responded to a smoldering couch fire on the 11th floor of the Fraser Tower building on 52nd Street just before 7 a.m. Monday.
According to the Yellowknife fire department, the couch had been placed on the balcony during the night. The couch re-ignited and the entire balcony became engulfed in flames.
The apartment's two occupants were awakened by sounds of the balcony window breaking. One of them grabbed a hose from the building's fire protection system and began to fight the fire.
Firefighters then took over and extinguished the blaze, which is attributed to a cigarette dropped on the couch.
The bulk of the damage was contained to the balcony and the exterior of the building due to the quick actions of the apartment residents.
The fire department estimates the initial loss at $15,000 for the structure and $3,000 for its contents.
Linda Nelson, property manager for Midwest Properties, said the insurance company will handle the matter and "more than likely they will be pursuing the residents in this matter."
Deputy fire chief Mike Lowing said furniture such as couches and mattresses can easily re-ignite when placed in areas where there is open air flow. |