Iqaluit fire department fights fourth fire in two days

Iqaluit firefighters responded last night to the fourth fire to break out in the city since the start of the Canada Day weekend on June 29.

The fire department responded to a structural fire around 7:40 p.m. behind house 753 in Lower Base, the city said.

Two sheds were fully engulfed in flames. By 8:18 p.m. the fire was under control and by 10:27, the fires were extinguished.

Neighbouring houses sustained minor damage and no injuries were reported, the city said.

The fire also caused a temporary power outage in the neighbourhood, according to the Qulliq Energy Corp.

Firefighters also responded to a fire on the beach Saturday night. Three shacks and equipment were lost in that fire, the city said.

The next morning, around 5:30 a.m., the fire department was called to a fire near the old dump in Apex.

Fire trucks could not reach the scene because of blocked access, so seven firefighters extinguished the flames on foot, the city said. No injuries were reported.

An hour later, around 6:30 a.m., firefighters were alerted to a fire at building 5324, a residential 10-plex in the Plateau area. Four out of 10 units were lost and one minor injury was reported.

The units are off limits to residents and the public. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, said the department.

Madeleine Redfern, Iqaluit’s mayor, urged residents to say safe and minimize the risk of fire.

“We ask our residents to be careful with anything that is fire related, such as cigarettes or BBQs. Also please pay attention to what is happening in or around your property or neighbourhood and call the RCMP if you see any activity you think is suspicious,” Redfern said.

The city also reminded residents that bonfires within city limits must be at least 30 metres away from any structures or combustible materials.