Residents posted on Facebook early Friday morning showing photos of the community’s Co-op grocery store on fire.
Co-op store caught fire early Friday morning, triggering state of emergency
The only grocery store in Whale Cove, Nunavut has burned, triggering a state of emergency in the hamlet of about 500 people.
Stanley Adjuk, the hamlet’s foreman, told CBC the fire is devastating to the community.
“It’s going to affect a lot of things,” Adjuk said in Inuktitut. “It houses the fuel store and the post office office is located inside and our only grocery store.”
Adjuk said the building can’t be saved and they’re letting it burn to the ground and keeping everyone safe.
He said he’s heard other community Co-ops are offering to help in whatever ways they can.
Residents posted on Facebook early Friday morning showing the community’s Co-op grocery store on fire.
An update from Qulliq Energy Corp. at 3 a.m. Friday said the power was out in the community.
Another update at 7:15 local time said the fire spread to a power pole and crews are waiting for the fire to be put out before repairs continue.
With files from Teresa Qiatsuq
