Jennifer Pritchett
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (Jun 10/98) - A Rankin Inlet family who lost all their belongings in a fire have been overwhelmed by the generosity of people who have helped them since the May 29 tragedy.

Matthew Kurok and his family lost everything but the clothes on their backs after a fire gutted House 149.

Fire chief Vince Lang has confirmed that Kurok's nine-year-old special-needs grandson Thomas Duncan started the fire in the bedroom while playing with a lighter.

Damage, confined mostly to the bedroom where the blaze was started, is now estimated at $100,000 and contents at $25,000. The family had no insurance.

The fire was particularly tragic for the family because it's the second time fire has destroyed their home, said Lang. Hearing the news, many residents of Rankin Inlet decided they would help the family.

While staying at the Siniktarvik Hotel waiting for a new Housing Association home, the family received cash donations, as well as food, clothes and furniture from people who heard about their situation on the local radio.

Chris Rudd, whose wife, Lynn, put the announcement on air, said that there were lots of donations given to the family.

"People were told they could leave donations here at the hotel and they ended up in the lobby for them," he said.

Rankin Inlet Housing Association manager Darrin Nichol said that the family is now getting settled into a new home with the donations they have received from people in the community.

"They're doing as well as can be expected," he said. "They're trying to make a new start."