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Residents recall harrowing night
John McFadden

John McFadden
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 17, 2015

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Deke Witt, a tenant on the third floor where the fire started, said he has lost everything in Sunday's fire.

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Fraser Goulet, left, and his partner Naomi Hardisty lost everything but each other when fire destroyed their unit in the Polaris apartment over the weekend. - John McFadden/NNSL photo

"I heard the fire alarm go off and and I ran out and I saw smoke in the hallway so I ran down and started banging on doors. The door where it apparently started, Rita's apartment, I couldn't get anybody to open there," Witt said.

"The fire crews were unable to rescue her until about 20-25 minutes after the we all had left the building. I had left the building but I wanted to grab a few of my things, my little stuff that's important but an RCMP grabbed me right there and said, 'You got to get out.'

"I still consider myself blessed. Here we are getting help. It could be worse. We're pretty fortunate here.

Naomi Hardisty also lives on the third floor across from the unit where the fire started and was home alone when the fire broke out.

"The cops banged my door open and woke me up about 1:30 and they told me to get out. I got dressed really quick, grabbed my keys and my phone and walked to my jeep," she said.

"I've lost everything. I'm a little bit shocked but I think I am taking it pretty good."

Hardisty was with her partner Fraser Goulet when they arrived Monday morning at the Northern Property office.

Goulet was out of town for work that evening.

"I was completely shocked to find out the love of my life, her life was in danger," he said. "I was completely scared. I was very glad when I found out she was OK."

Following their meeting with Northern Property officials, both Hardisty and Goulet said their landlord has been helpful.

"They're going to provide everything from shoes to furniture. They've put us up at the Yellowknife Inn for the rest of the week and they've given us gift cards for food," Hardisty said. Witt, Hardisty and Goulet all confirmed they had no tenants insurance.

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