Fire causes $100K damage at Tuktoyaktuk's Kitti Hall

A fire early Wednesday morning caused heavy damage to Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.'scommunity hall.

The fire at KittiHall happened at around 3 a.m. and the hamlet's volunteer fire department extinguished it about two hours later.

There were no injuries.

RCMP say extensive damage was done to the kitchen area and the extent of smoke damage is still being determined.

Tuktoyaktuk mayor Darrel Nasogaluaksaid Kitti Hall is one of the few spaces the whole community can gather in.

"I've just seen a couple of people today and they were very saddened and concerned about the events we are going to have during the Christmas and New Year's," he said.

He said he isn't sure where the hamlet will hold its indoor activities.

Nunakput MLA Jackie Jacobsensaid the fire was "a real blow to the community ofTuk."

"The Christmas season iscomingand we do everything in that hall fromfundraisingto adult games. It'sutilizedso much."

The fire departmentestimates the cost of repairing the damage at more than $100,000.

The cause of the fire is being investigated by the N.W.T. Office of the Fire Marshal and the RCMP. RCMP say the fire is considered suspicious.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact the Tuktoyaktuk RCMP at 867-977-1111, or Crime Stoppers at 1-888-222-8477 if they wish to remain anonymous.