Early morning fire destroys grocery and retail store in Igloolik, Nunavut

Jan 20, 2021 | 7:48 AM

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.