Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 04/05) - A fire at the largest hotel in Nunavut forced an evacuation on Monday, June 27.

The fire marshall is still investigating, but has ruled out arson as a cause for the fire at the W.G. Brown building in Iqaluit.

The fire started behind the Brown building, where it connects to neighbouring apartment complex.

The Frobisher Inn also connects with the building and was evacuated, along with the Storehouse bar and grill.

The fire department received the call at 10 p.m. and were on the scene until 11:40 p.m. Engine One responded, with a complement of six firefighters.

Three city water trucks also arrived at the scene, but the water in Engine One was enough to extinguish the blaze.

"There was some confusion (about hooking up to) a hydrant or a standpipe. Both are standpipes," said deputy fire chief Greg Jewers.

A standpipe connects water supplies to the sprinkler system, to keep the water pressure high if they are activated. Hydrants supply water to fire trucks.

The sprinklers were not activated, and there was enough water in the truck to stop the fire, so standpipes and hydrants were not needed.