.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - Members of the Inuvik Fire Department and RCMP are still scratching their heads over the cause of a weekend blaze that destroyed the town's historic hangar early Sunday morning.

By the time a crew of 14 firefighters arrived on scene at about 3:30 a.m., the building, located near the old town strip, was engulfed by flames.

Early June 14 Inuvik's old hangar was destroyed by a fire. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. - photo courtesy of Al German

Deputy fire chief Rick Lindsay said because of spring flooding the access road was washed out and fire trucks were unable to get at the building. By the time Lindsay, using a four-by-four pick-up, reached the site which was surrounded by gravel and water, it was already a lost cause.

"It was far enough involved that we weren't sending any personnel inside," he said. "It was just too dangerous.

"We just watched it. We stood back. Nobody got close. We just watched her go to the ground."

Lindsay said the fire department and RCMP are still investigating the cause of the fire, which he said raises many questions. There was no electricity running to the approximately 80 by 100 foot building at the time of the fire.

"We're in investigation mode really," he said. "There's not really much I can tell you. We have to figure it out. I have to bite my tongue."

RCMP could not be reached for comment.

The structure, which was several decades old and owned by the town, had been left neglected in recent years while being used a storage area. Though almost entirely constructed out of steel, the building had a large wooden door and contained several other wooden items located in the old office and living quarters area, which Lindsay said contributed to the structure's quick demise. Several other items were stored inside, including an old engine block, fridges and stoves.

Lindsay said it was sad to witness the destruction of such a historic building.

He said the cause of the fire will be known sooner or later.

"Were going to go down and search around," he said. "It's a small town, you keep an ear to the ground and let the people talk that want to talk, and sooner or later the cat will jump out of the bag."