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Cam Bay fire deemed suspicious; arrest made

The RCMP have arrested an individual in relation to a July 26 fire that caused extensive damage to a residence in a Cambridge Bay multi-unit building.

The exterior of a residential unit in a Cambridge Bay multi-plex building that caught fire on July 26. photo courtesy of Keith Morrison

Cambridge Bay Fire Chief Keith Morrison said he's not aware of any injuries. However, there was substantial fire, smoke and water damage to the unit, where one occupant was forced to flee. Residents in the adjoining units of the 10-plex were also forced to evacuate, Morrison said.

"There was extensive visible flame and smoke rolling out," the fire chief said of the scene when he arrived shortly after 3 a.m. "They're basically going to have to rip (the unit) down to the structure. That's based on my initial impression. Housing would obviously have to (determine) that."

It took about a dozen firefighters close to 10 minutes to get the blaze under control, according to Morrison. They spent another 20 minutes ensuring it was out and then some cleanup and inspection followed.

Occupants of six of the remaining nine residences were able to return home immediately after the incident, Morrison stated. Of the remaining three units, one had very minor smoke damage while the other two were undamaged, however the occupants of all three will have to wait a few days to return until building utilities are inspected and repaired, Morrison said Friday.