Flames torch Clyde River fire hall

KIRSTEN MURPHY

Flames gutted Clyde River’s fire hall on Jan. 4, leaving the community vulnerable to future emergencies and dependent on a single water tanker for household water delivery.

Sixteen volunteer firefighters rushed to the 20-year-old garage just after 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. While flames ripped through the hall, Loassie Tassugat, Clyde River’s fire chief, heroically jumped into the $200,000 fire truck parked inside the flaming building. He managed to drive the vehicle to safety and, although severely damaged, the truck is salvageable.

“I wasn’t thinking of the danger. I only wanted to save the truck,” Tassugat said.

A water tanker parked in the fire hall — one of two used to provide water to the community of 800 residents — was destroyed. Now, the community’s lone water tanker is running 24-hours-a-day to keep homes supplied with water.

Fire marshal Gerald Pickett visited the charred building this week. He said the blaze was accidental and no one was injured. However, the cause is still being investigated.

“It’s a completely burned-out building. The steel [siding] is twisted and warped from the heat. There is nothing there to salvage,” Pickett said. “It’s a major hit for the community.”

The community also lost a generator, hard suction hoses, 12 sets of bunker clothing and oxygen equipment in the blaze.

However, Pangnirtung has volunteered to lend Clyde River bunker clothing until new ones arrive.

Replacing the gutted building, vehicles and equipment may cost in excess of $1 million.