Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Apr 22/02) - The Kamotiq Inn reopened on Friday, after being shut for violating dozens of sections of the fire, electrical and health codes.

Fire marshal Gerald Pickett said last week inspectors visited the popular Iqaluit restaurant several times over the past four years and asked the owner to fix problems.

"Nothing was done," said Pickett. "It just kept getting worse."

On March 27, health, electrical and boiler inspectors found 58 violations. Neither the fire marshal's office nor the Kamotiq's owner were available this weekend to comment on the reopening.

Among the infractions noted in the fire prevention inspection report was the state of the restaurant's grease-extraction system, which is obsolete and covered with cooking oils. Grease buildup was all over the kitchen floor, walls and ceiling, and the exhaust ventilation and fire extinguishing system are outdated.

The Kamotiq Inn had no portable fire extinguishers in the kitchen to fight fires involving oils and fats.

Large empty boxes and wooden pallets were piled up near the exit.

"Piles and piles of garbage were backed up outside," said Pickett. "It's one of the worst places we've ever seen."

And despite two exterior fires at the restaurant last year, the Kamotiq Inn doesn't post fire procedures.

"I'm not taking a draconian attitude," said Pickett. "But it was too bad to ignore. I wouldn't have been doing my job."

The fire marshal said his office is on an inspection blitz, trying to hit high-visibility public buildings like restaurants, gymnasiums and schools.

"Now that we have more resources, we're doing what we're supposed to be doing," he said.

Environmental health officer Philip Reeve said he is "only authorized to give a generalized description" about the restaurant unless News/North files an access to information claim.

He would not say who forbade him from giving out public information about public health concerns.

"Basically, the infractions involved sanitation and sanitary maintenance in different areas of the kitchen, including the dishwasher," he said.

Reeve added there were problems with cooler temperatures -- which can cause bacteria and germs to grow -- and food was improperly stored, some of it even on the floor.

But he said after his March 27 inspection, the restaurant cleaned the place up. When he returned on April 4, there were "no outstanding health violations."

Management at the Kamotiq Inn did not return phone calls. But a steady stream of repair people went in and out of the restaurant all week.