Fire in Fort Resolution, N.W.T., burns down multiple homes on Saturday
A fire in Fort Resolution, N.W.T., burned down two duplexes in the community on Saturday.
Deninu Kųę́ Chief Louis Balsillie was among the volunteer firefighters who attended the fires. He told CBC on Saturday that multiple families have lost their homes. No occupants were injured in the fire, he told CBC.
He later posted on Facebook that one firefighter was injured. That firefighter, Sam O'Reilly, told CBC he broke his femur in an accident with the fire hose, and was medevaced to Yellowknife for surgery on Saturday. As of Sunday afternoon, O'Reilly said he was out of surgery and resting.
Deninu Kųę́ Chief Louis Balsillie told CBC on Saturday that multiple families lost their homes in the fire. (Submitted by Louis Balsillie)
As of 3 p.m. on Saturday, Balsilie said the cause of the fire was not known.
Two residents who live in the area told CBC the fire started at about 5 a.m. at Saturday.
Firefighters didn't leave the scene until well into the afternoon, Balsillie said.
N.W.T. Fire said in an update on Saturday afternoon that wildfire crews, along with one helicopter, assisted local firefighters in fighting the fire to ensure it didn't reach forested areas.
An N.W.T. fire helicopter drops water on a burning duplex in Fort Resolution. Crews with N.W.T. Fire assisted firefighters in Fort Resolution on Saturday. (Submitted by Louis Balsillie)