Industrial and residential: Not a good combination

KIRSTEN MURPHY

A recent fire at the Nanook Taxi garage has highlighted the number of Iqaluit businesses with potentially non-compliant residential suites, fire marshal Gerald Pickett says.

Pickett is investigating hazardous work and living conditions throughout the city following the July 28 blaze on Federal Road. The city’s industrial park is of particular interest.

“I’m well aware of other situations in town, and I’m doing research into it,” Pickett said. “This time we were lucky, next time we may not be. I hesitate to say anything more but I’m going to address the issue of occupancies not complying with [building and fire] codes.”

The Nanook taxi residence consisted of five-ground floor bedrooms with a livingroom, bathroom and kitchen. A hallway divided the living area from the maintenance bay.

A host of petroleum products and tires — dangerously flammable items when heated — were housed in the work area. Two dozen propane tanks were stored next door.

No one was injured in the blaze, but at least five people lost their personal belongings to smoke and water damage. Sparks from a grinder started the blaze.

Pickett would not say if the now-gutted Nanook taxi building was prohibited from having rental suites.

“I have reason to believe I should pursue it further,” he said.

The City of Iqaluit handles zoning permits. Chrystal Fuller, director of planning and lands, did not know if the Nanook garage was zoned for commercial and residential use.

Fuller was looking into the matter as of Nunatsiaq News’ press-time this week, however, she said the building may fall into a special category if built before 1996.

Fire Chief Cory Chegwyn also said he’s concerned about non-compliant buildings.

“We’re working with the city to make sure this doesn’t happen in the first place. A residence attached to a building with so many hazardous materials is probably not a good thing,” Chegwyn said. “There are provisions for caretaker suites in industrial zoned buildings. Four or five suites may be stretching it a bit.”

Right now, the fire marshal and fire chief make annual building inspections. However, building codes are stuck in a quagmire of old and new rules that are under review.

To prevent tragedies, Pickett says more building inspection officers are needed.

“You wouldn’t believe how much of a Pandora’s Box it is, but it must be dealt with,” Pickett said.

Nanook Taxi’s co-owner, Eddy DeCouto, could not be reached for comment.