AKLAVIK - Mackenzie Delta residents are collecting donations to help an Aklavik family rebuild their lives after a fire destroyed their home last week.

A pile of debris and scattered belongings is all that remains of Philip and Lori-Anne Elanik's home in Aklavik. The house they shared with five children burned to the ground on the evening of Jan. 13. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. - Katie May/NNSL photo

Philip Elanik, 32, is recovering in an Edmonton hospital after he and a family friend helped his wife, Lori-Anne, and five of their children safely escape the fire Jan. 13. The fire – the cause of which is being investigated by the NWT fire marshal's office – started that evening and volunteer firefighters weren't able to extinguish it in time because they were battling strong winds. All that is left of the family home is a pile of rubble on its lot near the end of the street. A frozen water tank and the wooden railing connected to the front steps of the two-story housing unit remain intact amid the blackened siding, broken furniture, equipment and even a left winter boot that sit under layers of snow and ice.

While Philip is in the hospital, he's being lauded by community members for his heroic efforts in rescuing the children, who are now staying with family. Lori-Anne declined to be interviewed, but her mother, Irene Illisiak, assured that the rest of the family was doing fine. The couple's sixth child was not in the house at the time of the fire.

"They took them all down to the nurses' station right after the fire and they got them all checked out. They're all OK," she said, adding she has no idea how the fire started.

"They never talked about it, so I never asked."

To prepare for Philip's return from the hospital, family and friends in Inuvik are collecting donations of clothes and other household items to help the children – aged three to preteen – and their parents rebuild their lives together.

Philip's sister, Danny Elanik, said donations started flooding in the day after the fire. The family is particularly in need of children's clothes and shoes, and has already received clothing to send to Philip in Edmonton, a television, some furniture and monetary donations for the family, including $1,000 from the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. Philip had been heavily involved in drum dancing in Aklavik.

"That's how it is up here. Everybody's got everybody's back and it's amazing," Ganny said, her voice breaking with emotion. She said she has faith her brother will be all right.

"He's an incredible, strong person. He's one of those people who'd go days without eating just to have his kids eat," his sister said. "You know how a mother bear hugs her cubs to keep them warm? That's him. He'll be the barrier to everything to know that everyone else is safe. He's very selfless."

Those interested in dropping off some donations can do so at 8 Mackenzie Road in Inuvik.

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