Fires caused $41M worth of damage in Nunavut in 2017: report
Financial significance and number of deaths are “substantial enough for Nunavummiut to strive towards the elimination of all types of fires,” says fire marshal
Kugaardjuq School in Kugaaruk burns on Feb. 18, 2017. The school, which has since been replaced, caused the biggest financial loss due to fire in Nunavut in 2017, according to the 2017 fire marshal’s report. (File photo)
(Updated, 6 p.m.)
Fires in Nunavut caused losses of more than $1,000 per person in 2017, according to a new report tabled in the territory’s legislature.
These losses, totalling about $41.7 million, also led to the death of four people and injured another 15, according to the 2017 Fire Marshall’s report.
Loss of infrastructure due to fires, which took place mainly from May to September, included Kugaaruk’s school and damage to 36 Government of Nunavut housing units and 18 private residences.
“The financial significance of losses of community infrastructure, and most importantly, the numbers of deaths, are substantial enough for Nunavummiut to strive towards the elimination of all types of fires,” said Michael Leduc, the territory’s fire marshal, in the report.
In all, there were 135 fires in 2017, an increase over the number of fires in 2016, but lower than the five-year average of 137.
Of those 135 fires in 2017, 63 were started with matches, causing $38.5 million worth of losses, and eight by cigarettes, causing nearly $600,000 worth of losses.
Of the 135 fires, 48 per cent were what are called “incendiary” fires, which means they were deliberately set by someone who knew the fire should not be ignited. That includes 18 “suspicious” fires.
These incendiary fires caused roughly $38.6 million in damages.
Those fires included the blaze that burned down the school in Kugaaruk, which accounted for more than $36.1 million in losses.
Iqaluit led Nunavut with the losses due to fire: $1.6 million of losses from fires that threatened more than $200 million worth of infrastructure.
There were 37 fires in Iqaluit in 2017, including the following:
- February: A weekend fire in Nunavut’s capital guts public housing unit
- August: A body is discovered following Iqaluit boat fire
- October: A fire guts former Iqaluit dental clinic near hospital
- November: Homeless man loses shelter in Iqaluit boat fire
Fire figures and dollar losses attributable to fire are likely to be much higher for 2018, because the latest report released by the fire marshal does not include the Nov. 8, 2018, blaze at Northmart in Iqaluit.
Correction
An earlier version of this story misstated the per capita losses at about $1 million. Instead, they are roughly $1,000.
And yes something needs to be done. Territorial wide fire prevention programs and monthly programs in schools. Talk about money going up in smoke.
Theres no way this guy said that….’substantial enough to strive towards the elimination of all fires; I would have thought that one fire would have been enough. Sorta of a moronic comment.
The number of fires deliberately set in Nunavut, namely Iqaluit, have resulted in a major increase in insurance premiums as well as many insurance underwriters refusing to insure in Nunavut. This is hurting the economy as well as businesses and residents across the region. Our business insurance almost doubled due to the number of senseless fires and the insurance claims that follow. I’m not looking forward to seeing how our personal home insurance premiums will be affected in the spring!!!
You are so write!