SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Investigators are looking at a malfunctioning wood fireplace as the possible cause of a fire last Friday morning that gutted a family home at 9 Glick Court.
A fundraising campaign has raised more than $15,000 as of press time after a fire caused more than $800,000 worth of damage early Friday morning. Investigators are looking at a faulty chimney as a possible cause. No one was injured. - John McFadden/NNSL photo |
Fire Chief Darcy Hernblad said Monday afternoon that an exact cause had yet to be determined.
"We're focused on the chimney pipe. There was an insert wood fireplace downstairs and that's what we are focused on but right now it's still under investigation," he said.
The fire is not believed to be suspicious in nature.
It took about 30 firefighters to bring the stubborn blaze under control.
"We knew everyone had gotten out out safely. Once our crews got into the home all they could see was just a light haze of smoke on the second floor.
"Firefighters then got out their thermal imaging camera, which sees through the wall. So they knew it was inside the wall, but by the time that wall was opened the fire had travelled considerably," Hernblad said.
He said that the occupants of the home had no idea their house was on fire.
"It was a neighbour who came out and noticed the smoke and the fire in the eves and pounded on their door to tell them their house was on fire. It was the same neighbour who called us, I believe," Hernblad said.
Because there was only light smoke and the fire was still contained inside the walls, the smoke detectors had yet to activate, said Hernblad.
"When we got in there we still couldn't see the fire. We knew it was burning inside the walls but we had to start opening up the walls to get at the fire. Every time we open up walls obviously we're introducing even more air which helps intensify the fire. We end up chasing the fire and we never seem to win in these battles."
He said despite the -30 C temperatures that morning all their equipment worked as it was supposed to.
"The cold weather affects all our specialized equipment. Whether it be chainsaws, rescue saws, fans, anything. The cold weather is hard on everything but it all worked," said Hernblad.
It took until the afternoon to finally bring the fire under control.
Hernblad has some strong words of advice for homeowners with fireplaces or wood burning stoves.
"The first and most foremost thing with chimney safety is to make sure you have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis. That's all determined on how often you use your fireplace or woodstove. The other thing is to burn clean dry wood. Don't burn green wood, it will build up more creosote in the chimney pipe and that will create the problem."
He said the best bet it to get your chimney professionally cleaned.
"But if you know what you are doing and you have the right equipment you can do it yourself," said Hernblad. "But it can be very dangerous."
He said it can be very slippery with snow and ice and homeowners need to use caution if they are going to clean their chimnies themselves.
Between the home and its contents, he said they are estimating the fire caused more than $800,000 in damage to the structure and the contents. He said the house is not salvageable and will have to be torn down.
More than $15,000 had been raised for the couple who lived in the home - Courtney and Axel Jung. A site on the gofundme.com website was started Friday as the fire still burned. Almost 200 donors had contributed to the fund as of Monday afternoon.
Courtney Jung is a kindergarten teacher at Mildred Hall School. Axel Jung is an aircraft maitenence engineer at First Air.
Courtney said they are having a hard time finding a furnished place to rent with their cat and dog for the next little while. She also thanked everyone who has supported them especially the Glick Court neighbour who woke them up that morning.
If you want to donate to help the Jungs you can log on to gofundme.com/mupzyk.
