Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 14/00) - A fire that started in the kitchen of a suite at Ravenscourt Apartments Thursday morning caused about $50,000 in damages.

The Yellowknife Fire Department responded to the call at 9:32 a.m.

There were no injuries from the fire, which started in the kitchen of Suite 313. The sprinkler system contained the flames to the kitchen.

According to the fire department, Suite 313 housed five residents.

Four of them, two children and two adults, were home at the time, while the third child was at school. The occupants escaped safely when they discovered the fire.

Hilda Savoury, the building's manager said, "A young girl came out and told me, 'My apartment's on fire.'

"So I got my tenants out and I told her to get out. As long as my tenants are out, I don't care."

Savoury praised the fire department.

"They're always on time. They've never let us down yet."

Judy Alanak, one of the residents at home during the fire declined to comment on the fire. The Yellowknife Red Cross team has provided assistance and accommodations to Suite 313 residents.

Ravenscourt residents temporarily sought shelter in the J.H. Sissons school gym while firefighters battled the blaze. Residents were allowed to re-enter the building once their suites were made safe later in the morning.

Firefighters spent much of their time clearing smoke from the third floor and containing water damage on the first three floors in the north end of the building.

Nineteen firefighters responded and used a command unit, ambulance, rescue truck, support vehicle and three pumpers.

Deputy fire chief Mike Lowing said there was "pretty major damage done to the suite, lots of smoke and heat damage."

Damage was estimated at $50,000 for the building and $5,000 for personal contents.

As of Thursday afternoon, the fire was still under investigation but was considered accidental.