The blaze was reported to the fire department at about 7 a.m. on Dec. 24.

More than a dozen firefighters battled the flames throughout the day.

They were supported by a number of people in the community who volunteered to lend a helping hand away from the immediate area of the flames.

Hot spots and flare-ups were still occurring at the scene more than 12 hours after firefighters first arrived.

Damage estimates to replace the complex are ranging wildly, from $3.5 million to $8.5 million.

The building cost about $3.5 million to erect in 1984.

Regional Fire Marshal Tim Hinds is in Repulse Bay this week investigating the blaze.

"Even if a new building was built exactly the same as the one destroyed, the construction costs would be much higher than in '84," said Hines.

"There would also be additional code requirements that weren't the same in the '80s."

The hamlet building was insured for replacement value, but reports out of the community suggest the value of the contents lost in the blaze will be well above insurance coverage.

The complex contained the hamlet office, council chambers, post office, community centre and storage areas.

The local radio station was also situated in the complex, as well as equipment needed to bring cable TV to the hamlet, the vast majority of musical equipment for the Repulse Bay Band and a number of sporting items from the recreation centre.

"There were also a number of prizes stored there to be presented during the Christmas games, as well as prizes for the hamlet's annual Christmas Lights contest," said Hines.

The hamlet's New Year's Eve celebrations were held at Tusarvik school.

The insurance companies are not going to do conduct an origin-and-cause investigation.

Hinds says there is no reason to suspect the fire was anything other than accidental.

Although the cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, early indicators point to boiler problems.

"The first smoke was spotted on the exterior of the building, near the door where the boiler was located.

"That doesn't necessarily mean the boiler was the cause. The smoke could have just seeped through that door first.

"There are, however, statements to the effect that maintenance was done to the boiler recently."