Woman dies in Cambridge Bay duplex fire

Cambridge Bay fire chief Keith Morrison stands in front of the duplex unit at 8a Kullik St., which burned Oct. 1. The blaze, which left a woman dead, was the worst structural fire to date this year, Morrison said. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)

CAMBRIDGE BAY — A woman is dead following an Oct. 1 fire that ravaged a duplex unit on Kullik St. in Cambridge Bay, where she and four other people lived.

The cause of fire is still under investigation, said Cambridge Bay fire chief Keith Morrison, early Oct. 2.

A siren alarm first went out to alert firefighters shortly before 10 p.m., Morrison said, with six firefighters responding.

They managed to get the fire under control within 15 to 20 minutes of their arrival.

At 10 p.m., a health worker was seen dashing out of the Kitikmeot Health Centre to head to the fire, where an emergency response vehicle and a water truck already stood on site, along with police and hamlet staff.

Many onlookers watched as dark grey smoke poured out of the unit at 8A Kullik St., while firefighters continued to pour water through a window.

By about 11:30 p.m., the fire was extinguished, Morrison said.

Firefighters were aware that one of four persons who lived at the unit was still inside when they arrived at the scene, he said.

They later confirmed that to be true, he said.

(more to come)