Early morning fire destroys grocery store in Igloolik, Nunavut

Jan. 21, 2021, Igloolik, Nunavut – A fire has destroyed a grocery and retail store in Igloolik, Nunavut.

Photos on social media from the community of about 1,600 show orange flames and black smoke bursting from the Artic Co-op store.

Qaatani Sarpinak, who lives in Igloolik, says the fire started after 4 a.m. and he saw ammunition exploding and vapour coming from propane tanks inside the store.

Duane Wilson, vice-president of stakeholder relations with Arctic Co-operatives, says the fire is still burning and it’s too early to tell what caused it, but no one has been hurt.

Wilson says an emergency response team has assembled at the Co-op to support urgent needs like fuel delivery.

The store is one of only two grocery outlets in Igloolik.