Iqaluit fire leaves Idlout, businesses looking for new space

MP’s constituency office, MAC African Market, and Stantec engineering firm among offices lost at Noble House

Smouldering ruins are all that’s left of the three-storey Noble House complex on Mivvik Street in Iqaluit following Wednesday night’s fire. (Photo by Daron Letts)

By Kierstin Williams

The fire that tore through Noble House in Iqaluit Wednesday left Nunavut MP Lori Idlout and a handful of commercial tenants in a state of uncertainty.

As well as being home to at least 36 families or individuals, the three-storey building at 1088 Mivvik St. also served as a base for a few businesses and offices.

All that’s left of the building now is a pile of rubble.

Idlout said her constituency office was located in the building and that she will be looking for a new space.

“I’m just so thankful to the community for coming together so quickly to make sure the impacted families are getting the supports they need, including providing donations so the families can get back to as normal of a life as they possibly can,” she said in an interview Friday.

For now, Idlout said, the best way she can be reached is through her Ottawa office or by email.

Ernesine Ngelah, owner of the MAC African Market that also was located in Building 1088, said she “lost everything.”

She’s still trying to process the impact of the loss of her storefront.

“It’s something that I built from scratch, so I’m hoping that I’m going to bounce back if I find a place to start because I still have my vendors,” Ngelah told Nunatsiaq News.

“This was the only African store in Nunavut, the first of its kind, and so many Africans and others who love African food depend on it so it’s really devastating.”

Despite the loss of her storefront, which carried groceries and clothing from Africa, Ngelah said she’s grateful for all of the support from the community and is thankful no one was injured.

Engineering firm Stantec also had an office in the building.

Scott Argent, regional leader of Prairies and Territories for the company, called the fire a “devastating loss” for the community and said he’s “relieved” there were no injuries, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.

“We are providing full support to our Iqaluit team during this difficult time and making sure they have the help they need so that we continue to service our client’s projects uninterrupted,” said Argent.

Nunatsiaq News attempted to contact Nunavut Marketing, which lists the 1088 building as its address, but did not hear back by publication.

In a news release Thursday, the RCMP said it is investigating the fire with the Iqaluit fire department and Nunavut Fire Marshal’s office.

 

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(3) Comments:

  1. Posted by Steve Partyka on

    Not necessary, Canada will become the 51st state!

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  2. Posted by John WP Murphy on

    They are not going to need a constituency office soon anyway.

    Happy no one was hurt though.

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