Kuujjuaraapik couple perishes in fire

IQALUIT — Last Saturday night around 6 p.m. a fire was noticed in a three-bedroom residence in Kuujjuaraapik.

But when fire crews from Kuujjuaraapik and Whapmagoostui arrived on the scene, they were too late to save the house and its occupants.

They discovered the bodies of Paul Fleming, 39, and Eva Fleming, 33, who were apparently overcome by smoke inhalation.

The couple’s children were not at home.

The source of the fire is unknown, but its cause, according to Lt. Larry Hubert from the Kativik Regional Police Force, is thought to be accidental.