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The old health center in Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, burned to the ground Tuesday night, taking with it government offices and housing for temporary government employees.
In a news release Wednesday morning, RCMP said no one was reported injured in the fire. The local fire department extinguished the fire, but the system was completely lost.
Sanikiluaq RCMP said they responded to the fire at about 10:50 p.m. Tuesday. The building is used for medical tours, as well as testing and mental health services.
Allan Rumbolt, former MPA for Sanikiluaq, said the two-storey building had three staff quarters on the upper floor for nurses and doctors, and several offices on the lower floor, including the office of current MLA Daniel Qavvik.
“In a small area like this, when you lose a few government offices – we are already looking for space [and] it’s the same thing with staff housing,” Rumbolt said.
“It’s going to have a huge impact in the community for that reason … and it’s going to be a struggle right now trying to find a place to house these government offices until they figure out what they’re going to do.”
He said all three workers were employed by health workers, who would lose their belongings in the fire. As for the offices, all the equipment that was put in them was lost.
“Everything is gone,” he said.
“One of the biggest issues is that there are income support offices out there, so it’s going to be such a pain for clients to get their income support.”
No other buildings were damaged. Police said there was no indication the fire was caused by any criminal activity.