IQALUIT - A fire at a residential unit in Iqaluit's 100 block last week caused $75,000 in damage, according to the fire department.

The Iqaluit Fire Department and RCMP respond to a fire at unit 172A in Iqaluit on March 2. - photo courtesy of Jordan Grenke

Jordan Grenke, who lives across the street from the unit, said he and a friend had just come home from the movies March 2 when he saw flames coming from the building.

"Through the blinds I saw the police lights," he said.

Grenke said he opened the window and saw the building on fire. At that point he said the fire department, the RCMP and emergency services were already on the scene.

"The fire department acted quickly and put out the flames within minutes," said Grenke.

The Iqaluit Fire Department was called to unit 172A at 11:13 p.m., according to a press release.

"It took 20 to 30 minutes to determine the unit was not occupied at the time," said deputy fire chief Chris Wilson.

Firefighters contained the blaze to one of the four units in the complex. Iqaluit RCMP evacuated the other units as a precaution.

Wilson said the fire marshal's office, the RCMP and the fire department have decided the fire was not mechanical or electrical. Wilson also said a point of origin has been established.

"We suspect the fire to be unintentional," said Wilson.

The building belongs to the Iqaluit Housing Authority.