RCMP’s major crimes unit investigating fire that destroyed Igloolik arena
Kipsigaq arena and Artcirq circus program’s studio lost in Wednesday morning blaze
Workers use heavy equipment at the site of the Kipsigak arena in Igloolik, which was destroyed in a fire Feb. 12. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut RCMP)
Nunavut RCMP’s major crimes unit and the Nunavut Fire Marshal’s Office continue to investigate the Wednesday morning fire that destroyed Igloolik’s arena and forced some residents to leave their homes to escape the smoke.
The fire at the Kipsigak arena was reported to police around 2:20 a.m. Wednesday, an RCMP news release Thursday said, and officers established a safety perimeter around the fire.
Ten members of the hamlet’s fire department were involved in the initial response, said Greg Belanger, a spokesperson for the Community and Government Services Department, in an emailed statement Wednesday. They were joined by hamlet workers and Canadian Rangers.
In another email Thursday, Belanger said he couldn’t provide further updates because the RCMP has taken the lead on the investigation.
The RCMP hasn’t said if a cause has been determined.
Kipsigak arena was home to the community’s hockey rink and the BlackBox Studio, which hosted the Artcirq circus program.
In November 2023, Artcirq celebrated its 25th year in operation providing young people the chance to learn circus skills like juggling and clowning, acrobatics, gymnastics as well as traditional Inuit games.
Speaking to Nunatsiaq News on Wednesday from Montreal, Artcirq co-founder Guillaume Saladin called it “a very sad day for all of us.”
He said organizers will have to “improvise a solution” to rebuild a new BlackBox.
Igloolik RCMP are asking anyone with information on the fire to contact investigators at 867-934-0123 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) to leave anonymous tips.
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