As flames spread to the fence facing School Draw Avenue a fire hose reaching over it explodes from the heat. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo |
No reported injuries, cat missing after fire
Unattended 'smoking material' suspected in School Draw blaze that caused an estimated $700,000 in damages
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Updated: Friday, May 16, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
A couple who lost their home to a fire that raged for more than two hours Wednesday say they are overwhelmed with humility at the support they are receiving.
Flames shoot out of the attic of a house at 4401 School Draw Avenue before firefighters have a chance to begin their attack. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo
 Firefighters attack the rear of the house, where the blaze began. After almost an hour of fighting the fire, small hot spots remained inside the home. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo
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"This community is unreal and the love we are getting makes us more emotional than the loss of our belongings," Noha Elahkeem wrote in a Facebook message in response to questions from Yellowknifer.
One online relief fund has started for Elahkeem and her husband Eugene Foisy, which, by Thursday evening, had already raised just short of $10,000.
The Yellowknife fire department estimates damages of more than $700,000.
Fire ripped through the couple's home at 4401 School Draw Avenue around 2:30 p.m.
Elhakeem and her cat were home at the time but escaped without injuries. Her cat Batman is missing and Elhakeem said she'd like anyone who finds him to contact her.
The cat is black with white on his face and no collar.
Darcy Hernblad, the city's fire chief, was on scene Thursday morning and said he believes the blaze started on the back deck, caused by "smoking materials," such as cigarettes being left out.
"I can't overemphasize properly discarding cigarettes, and making sure they're out -- whether they're in an ashtray or not," said Hernblad.
Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after 2:30 p.m. but had to wait for a Northland Utilities vehicle to arrive and disconnect power to the house before attacking the flames.
Their first try attacking the back of the house failed as fire crews dragged their hoses over the fence too close to the flames. Popping sounds could be heard as the hoses exploded from the heat. The first crews retreated back to the front of the house as smoke billowed down the street.
Hernblad said they lost two fire hoses in the incident, which cost around $400 to $500 each.
"The hose lines we use, it's a compressed air-foam system, with a lot of air pressure in them. When they blow, it's significant," said Hernblad.
A second attack on the rear of the house began when firefighters brought the hose around back, keeping it a greater distance from the flames which had spread to the grass and fence.
Shortly after 3 p.m. water and foam mixtures poured into the house as ground crews and a pumper truck attacked the flames. After about half an hour, most of flames and smoke seemed to die down, although hot spots continued to burn throughout the house.
Dozens of onlookers gathered at the parking lot of the Ciara Manor apartment building across the road and along 44 Street.
Firefighters began entering the structure before 4 p.m., and Hernblad said the fire was under control by around 5 p.m.
All hands were on deck Wednesday afternoon, with 30 firefighters, including paid-on-call or "yellow helmets" - who are not authorized in all firefighting duties - responded. Municipal Enforcement and RCMP assisted with traffic and crowd control. The fire hall also responded to six separate ambulance calls during the fire.
"It never rains but it pours," said Hernblad. "I'm extremely proud of our crews."
A firefighter who entered the home was slightly injured when burning debris fell into his gear. Hernblad said he was treated on scene and is OK now. A woman who was outside was also taken to the hospital for shock.
Glen Abernethy, the NWT's health minister, owns the home next door to the fire. He was home meeting with a constituent when they noticed the fire coming out of his neighbour's back deck.
The intensity and quickness of the fire "horrified and frightened" Abernethy.
"The wind was blowing really strong, and the fire went up the wall into the air vent, and into the attic."
"It ripped through the vinyl siding on that house like crazy," said Abernethy.
Although his house suffered some minor heat damage, including a broken window and a melted gutter, Abernethy said he's more concerned about his neighbour.
"It's so inconsequential compared to what the neighbours have gone through, it's not significant."
