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Apartment fire claims life of Yellowknife woman

RMCP-fatal-fire-004

A 55-year-old Yellowknife woman is dead after a fire broke out at an apartment complex over the weekend.

The woman, whose name hasn't yet been released, was declared dead in hospital after being found in her Aurora Suites apartment unit early Saturday morning.

Another occupant was treated at Stanton Territorial Hospital for minor injuries.

Emergency crews responded to fire alarms at Aurora Suites at 4916 46 St. just before 1 a.m.

The alarm was activated by a security company, with no calls about fire or smoke coming from Aurora Suites residents, a news release from the city stated.

“There was no smoke or fire showing. No evacuation had taken place,” stated the city’s release. “Upon entry, firefighters evacuated the building and initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the alarm.

“Light smoke was noted in a hallway. Further investigation found heavy smoke and sprinkler activation in one of the suites on the main floor,” stated the news release.

Yellowknife RCMP also attended the scene.

The fire displaced Aurora Suites residents who weren't able to return to their units until later in the weekend.

On Monday, the apartment building showed little evidence of the fatal fire that occurred just days before.

There was no visible damage to the exterior of the Aurora Suites complex and residents were able to come and go from the building freely.

Aurora Suites residents approached by Yellowknifer declined to comment on Saturday's blaze.

Yellowknifer did speak with a family member and will have more about the tragedy in coming editions.

An RCMP truck – the sole sign of the weekend blaze – was parked in front of the property.
In a release Monday, RCMP confirmed they are investigating the fatal fire.

“Yellowknife RCMP are investigating the fire in collaboration with the NWT Office of the Fire Marshal and the NWT Coroner Office,” Mounties spokesperson Marie York-Condon stated in the release.

Details about the cause of the fire remain scarce.