Hero 'just did what he had to do,' says proud dad
Disoriented man burned in house fire tried to go back inside but was dragged out
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Monday, March 20, 2017
TUKTOYAKTUK
A man and his uncle are being hailed as heroes after saving a man's life from a burning house fire in Tuktoyaktuk on March 11.
Two Tuktoyaktuk men are being hailed as heroes after they rescued a man from a fire, shown in the above photo, in Tuk on March 11. Jimmy Avik and John Tedjuk, the latter shown in the inset photo, risked their own safety in helping the injured man out of the home. He has been medevaced south with severe burns. - fire scene photo courtesy of Chucky Gruben, inset photo courtesy of Facebook |
The victim, only identified as "Steven" by a neighbour, was medevaced to hospital in Edmonton, where his condition has not been released. The man, believed to be in his mid-50s, was reportedly being treated for severe burns.
A duplex in Tuktoyaktuk was still standing after being badly damaged by fire on March 11. One man reportedly suffered severe burns and had to be medevaced south. His name has not been released. But two Tuk residents - Jimmy Avik and John Tedjuk - are being called heroes for pulling them man out of the burning building. - Photo courtesy of Chucky Gruben |
The man was believed to be the only person in the duplex when flames broke out late in the afternoon.
He was rescued by Jimmy Avik, 40, and his 19-year-old nephew John Tedjuk. They reportedly pulled the man out of the house before the fire department arrived.
John Tedjuk's father, Felix Tedjuk, who lives right across the street from the fire, said his son bolted out of the house after he heard his uncle yelling that there was a fire.
"He was so amazing. He and Jimmy dragged Steven out. Steven tried to run back in," said Tedjuk.
"There's a time when you get confused. Steven was confused and my son just grabbed him.
"Steven was trying to run back inside. John doesn't think of himself as a hero.
"He told me, 'I just did what I had to dad. That's all he ever said."
The father said the victim was badly burned and his skin was peeling off as his son grabbed him.
A family with children who lived next door are reportedly staying with either friends or relatives because their side of the unit was also badly damaged.
It is believed the home will have to be torn down, according to officials.
NWT Fire Marshal Chucker Dewar said the two-family dwelling was badly damaged by fire, smoke and water.
He added officials with his office have been to Tuktoyaktuk to investigate and look for a cause of the fire.
"We're working closely with local authorities - RCMP and the town's fire service. We expect to complete our investigation next week," Dewar said over phone March 17.
"There is no indication of anything suspicious with this fire."
It is not yet clear whether the heroes will be recommended for bravery awards.
Duncan Walker took over the role as Tuk's senior administrative officer just days before the fire.
"I hope they would be recognized. After everything plays out ... absolutely I would think there would be some recognition," Walker said.
News/North reached out to both Avik and Tedjuk but had not heard back from either of them as of press time.
According to Frizzell, fundraising for the family is taking place on the Tuktoyaktuk Buy and Sell Facebook page.
