Estimates at $65,000 of uninsured damage
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (May 16/01) - Careless smoking is thought to be the culprit in a second-storey fire in Rankin Inlet this past week. It caused more than $65,000 in damages.
The Rankin Inlet fire department responded to a call to Unit 18 at the Courtyard Condominiums about 4 p.m. Thursday, May 10.
Two youths who had been running back and forth between the damaged unit and a neighbouring home spotted smoke rising from the apartment's couch.
They tried to extinguish the fire unsuccessfully before running for help.
The unit's occupant, Brenda Sandy, was at work at the time of the incident.
Kivalliq reg-ional fire Marshal Tim Hinds said damage is estimated at about $15,000 for Sandy's personal effects and $50,000 in property damages.
"The best way to describe it is that the entire second floor was gutted," said Hinds.
"The fortunate part is that it was Gyproc and that prevented the fire from spreading," he added.
Hinds said Sandy's house cat was rescued by her neighbour, Ron Graham, who also summoned the fire department, but that and the fact there were no injuries in the mishap were the only positive aspects.
"Neither the building owner nor the resident had any kind of insurance.
"This fire probably only had a life of about 15 minutes and look at the damage estimates.
"As fire marshal, I can't stress enough to people the importance of having the proper insurance on their homes and belongings."
The investigation into the blaze is ongoing and more details will be released upon its completion.
