Holman (June 02/03) - Albert Banksland, 37, died of smoke inhalation when his home was destroyed during an early morning fire in Holman May 24.

Albert Banksland, seen here a few months before the fire last week which claimed his life, receives an award at the IRC Native Hockey Tournament in February. - photo courtesy of Peggy Jay/Inuvialuit Regional Corporation

At 2:28 a.m. Holman RCMP member Const. Francis Cullen was awakened by a knock on his door alerting him to a fire at Banksland's residence.

The volunteer fire department arrived shortly to find his half of the duplex completely engulfed.

"They tried to get in there and risked themselves to search the residence but smoke and flames drove them out," Cullen said of the volunteer firefighters.

While Banksland's home was "totally destroyed by smoke, fire and water" the other half of the duplex only sustained smoke damage thanks to a fire wall, said Cullen.

Banksland was the only one who lived in the home.

The tentative cause of death is smoke inhalation, said Cullen. Banksland's body was not found until after the fire was contained.

Known as a great guy

Banksland was single. Most of his immediate family lives in Holman.

"They're taking it really hard. He was a good fellow," said Cullen, adding a crisis worker and counsellor is trying to help them through the trauma.

Banksland was well-known in the close-knit hamlet.

He worked employed by the hamlet as a maintenance person and loved to play hockey.

"He was very capable on the land and hunted and fished a lot," said Cullen.

"He was an extremely well-liked guy."

"He was always somebody who was willing to help," said Holman Mayor Gary Bristow, Banksland's brother-in-law.

Bristow said Banksland loved to travel on the land and would often do so on his own.

Banksland is most known for his love of hockey.

Bristow said he's been playing since he was a child and was recognized as one of the community's hockey leaders.

"He played hockey when all we had was an outdoor rink," said Bristow.

"I know we're going to miss him. (And) in a smaller community it's even more difficult," said Bristow.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.