PUBLIC UPDATE
FIRE INCIDENT FD21-093 June 9 2021 22:59 pm
Breynat Street, Inuvik
June 11, 2021 – 4:30pm
At 22:54 pm on June 9, 2021, Inuvik Fire was dispatched to Breynat Street for reports of a porch on fire.
Upon arrival at 22:56, the first arriving unit was met by a neighbour who had used an extinguisher to control the fire. An additional fire extinguisher was used on the smoldering debris until fire crews were able to douse any further fire extension and prevent fire spread.
Tenants of the home were evacuated from the rear of the building as a precautionary measure.
Damage was contained to the porch structure, siding and items on the porch. Fire crews continued to conduct overhaul and check for fire extension, while the neighbour and occupants of the home were assessed by Advanced Medical Solutions paramedics for smoke inhalation and injuries.
The Inuvik Fire Department commends the neighbour, who upon seeing the fire, ran across the road with his extinguisher to control the fire and alert the occupants of the home. Without his quick thinking and bravery, this fire could have been much more devastating.
The cause of the fire was deemed accidental, with improperly disposed of smoking material being the ignition source.
Homeowners and tenants are reminded of the following precautions:
• Keep exits such as stairs and porches clear of items, particularly combustibles. This is your escape should a fire occur.
• Smoke away from the structure. Most porches and stairs are made from combustible materials.
• Fully extinguish smoking material and put remains in a metal, non-combustible container.
Inuvik Fire cleared the scene by 00:36 after overhaul and investigation were complete. At the height of the incident, there were 4 Inuvik Fire apparatus and 16 personnel.
We thank the following agencies for their assistance RCMP, AMS, Inuvik Gas and Northwest Territories Power Corps.
Cynthia Hammond
Director of Protective Services/Fire Chief
Town of Inuvik
PO Box 1160, 2 Firth St.
Inuvik, NT X0E 0T0
Office: 867.777.8637
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