Wrigley (Apr 29/05) - A Wrigley home was razed by fire last week and two men who came to the rescue needed to be medevaced to Yellowknife after inhaling smoke.

Ernie Moses and Trina Cli's home went up in flames before noon on April 20. Their eldest child, a teenager, escorted his three siblings out of the two-bedroom house.

Burton Campbell, a former fire chief in Nahanni Butte, and Darcy Moses ran into the burning house to make sure nobody was left inside. The house was empty. The two men wound up with respiratory damage from the searing smoke.

Wrigley fire chief Wally Antoine said there were many people visiting the community for a funeral at the time. Some of them rushed to help out. Although they meant well, a few people made the situation worse by smashing out windows in the house, Antoine noted. The extra ventilation fed the fire, which took about four hours to fully extinguish, he said.

As well, the community's fire truck needed a boost to get started even though it had been running the week before, according to Antoine. Apparently the vehicle's battery just died, he said.

It's believed that a spark from an uncovered pressure switch ignited fuel leaking from a line, causing the fire. The fuel line used to be connected to a hot water heater in the basement furnace room.

The displaced family is temporarily living in the elders' complex.

Only three people showed up for a firefighter training session offered by Municipal and Community Affairs earlier this month - two of them just attended part of the training.

Antoine noted that the Wrigley fire brigade was up to 10 members a year and a half ago. The previous chief and council approved of individuals being paid $50 for each fire meeting.

"Being paid is an issue," Antoine said.

The current administration is instead offering free fire-retardant coveralls that volunteers can keep.

Chief David Moses couldn't be reached for comment.

The Pehdzeh Ki First Nation is planning another fire training session after the Ndulee ferry begins operations, Antoine said. He's hopeful that last week's fire will serve as a reminder that regular volunteers are essential.

"It will probably open people's eyes," he said.