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INUVIK
A pick-up truck caught fire early Saturday morning on Natala Drive.

A pick-up truck caught fire early Saturday on Natala Drive. - photo courtesy of Jeff Jones

The fire was dealt with quickly, said Fire Chief Jim Sawkins.

"It only took five or 10 minutes."

The truck was the only property damaged. The fire was contained early enough to keep it from spreading.

Jeff Jones lives in a neighbouring unit.

"It wakes you up fast when you hear sirens right outside your window," he said.

"I ran outside to see what was happening."

While the official cause of the fire is undetermined, Sawkins said it looked like someone had used the front driver's seat for a nap.

He theorized a discarded cigarette butt could have started the fire.

Through the process of elimination, Sawkins said he was able to rule out other causes.

"It had been parked there for a while and there was no battery," said Sawkins.

"That allowed us to rule out electrical."

The fire department was also called out Sunday to a block of apartments.

"The third floor of Bompas (Place) Apartments was completely smoked out," said Sawkins.

A resident had left a pot on the stove, according to the fire chief. The pot was removed and the occupant transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.

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