Nunavut court still awaiting details of shack fire case

One of two people charged in a May 13 Iqaluit shack fire that nearly killed a man appeared in Nunavut court June 14. Both people charged are expected back in court in early August. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

Two people charged in connection with a shack fire on Iqaluit’s beach May 13, nearly killing a 49-year-old man, have been scheduled to appear together in court Aug. 8 at Nunavut’s Court of Justice in Iqaluit.

Peter Sharky, 30, is charged with assault, mischief and escape from custody, and appeared alone via videolink before Justice Paul Bychok at the Nunavut Court of Justice June 14.

The co-accused in the incident, Qilluya Lucassie, 23, is charged with attempted murder and arson with disregard for human life, but she did not appear in court with Sharky.

Justice Paul Bychok ordered the Aug. 8 date at the request of Crown lawyers who said they plan to deal with both of the accused at that time.

Crown prosecutor Leah Winters told Bychok the police are still collecting evidence from the shack fire, in part because the victim has been unable to give a statement due to his injuries.

According to a May 17 news release by the RCMP following the incident, the 49-year-old man, who has not been identified, suffered “severe burns” as a result of the fire.

“They haven’t joined yet [in court] because there’s still some investigation that hasn’t been concluded yet. The complainant in this file is not in a position to even be able to provide a statement at this point, because of the medical condition,” Winters said.

Iqaluit’s fire department responded to a call about the fire at around 8 p.m. May 13.

When they arrived, the man had already been pulled from the shack.

He was transported to the Qikiqtani General Hospital and later medevaced to Montreal for further treatment.

Many shacks along Iqaluit’s beach are used as shelters for homeless people.

Sharky and Lucassie are both expected to appear in person for their court date Aug. 8.