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BAKER LAKE
No one was hurt in a fire at the Baker Lake Contracting and Supplies building, which consumed the facility and destroyed six vehicles on the property on July 17.

No one was hurt in a fire that destroyed the Baker Lake Contracting Services building on July 17. According to RCMP Const. Jimmy Akavak, the fire was caused by a hydraulic leak from a piece of heavy equipment on site. - photo courtesy of Lana Franko

"No injuries from what we know and no criminal activity is suspected at this time," said RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak.

Akavak said firefighters and police were called to the building at about 5:50 p.m. upon arrival, the building was engulfed in flame.

"The fire had started from a hydraulic leak from a piece of heavy equipment," said Akavak.

The firefighting team consisted of RCMP, firefighters, bylaw and conservation officers, all working to control the blaze and to keep people away from the building, which was full of industrial supplies. Explosions erupted from inside the building as those supplies caught fire.

"There were other buildings in the area. We had to keep the perimeter secured."

Akavak said Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. sent a firefighting team to help out, but by that time the fire was under control. Akavak did not have information as to when the fire was finally put out.

Kivalliq News was unable to get in touch with Baker Lake Fire Chief Alex Iqqaat by press time.

"Luckily nobody was hurt, and we urge anybody who has any information about this or saw what happened to contact us," said Akavak. "It could have been worse."

Resident Lana Franko told Kivalliq News via e-mail she saw the business's garage, hardware store and offices destroyed by the fire, and a burnt vehicle remained in the business's parking lot the next day.

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