Damage unknown after mystery fire alarm activates chemical suppressant at Nain cultural centre
CBC
Clouds of apparent smoke billowed out of the Illusuak Cultural Centre in Nain on Monday.
The Nunatsiavut government advised people of a fire at the centre on Monday at 3:10 p.m. AT.
But after the haze dissipated, Nunatsiavut said there isn't an indication yet of what caused it.
"From our investigation so far, there is no evidence of a fire having occurred," said Nunatsiavut's First Minister Melva Williams on Tuesday.
The centre is a significant hub for community gatherings and features an array of Nunatsiavut artifacts.
"This was a really heartbreaking moment for a lot of people ... some people were crying, a lot of firefighters coming in and out," said Melanie Segev.
Segev is in town for the summer with a literacy camp. She helped hand out masks to people around the building.
Williams said an investigation is ongoing to determine why the suppression system went off, noting that the system uses a chemical to put out flames when it's activated. She did not know what type of chemical would have been used.
Williams said there's no indication yet how long the centre will be closed for, adding Nunatsiavut is assembling a team of professionals to investigate. She said the fire system was last inspected this past fall.
The Illusuak first opened to the public in 2019. It was expected to open in 2014, but faced delays in how to properly tell the story of Nunatsiavut. It was also delayed for the late addition of its fire suppression system to properly protect artifacts.
An exhibit featuring stories from residential school survivors was about to launch in the centre's theatre when the system went off. Williams said everyone was able to evacuate safely and the Nain volunteer fire brigade searched for anyone left inside.
The community held a drop-in session for people who were in the centre when the system went off and may have been left shaken from the incident, Williams said.
"We're also working on other options, like being able to access counsellors from the Department of Health and Social Development if needed," Williams said.
The haze from the fire suppression system spread throughout Nain. Williams said questions about the potential health impacts from exposure to the system should be directed to the health authority.
This First Person column is the experience of Shannon Flaman, who lives in Red Deer, Alta. For more information about CBC's First Person stories, please see the FAQ.
City staff are working on long-term plans to prevent toxic and smelly algae blooms at the Hamilton harbour – and short-term plans to mitigate blooms when they happen – but are cautioning residents that it's not the type of problem with a quick fix.
Another blockade of the Ambassador Bridge wouldn't play out like what happened in February 2022 — thanks to police being empowered to act faster and harder, according to a report that's going to Windsor city council next week.
On the first day of 2025, Alberta's default electricity rate is set to be replaced by the new "rate of last resort," in what the province says is a bid to protect consumers from a volatile electricity pricing landscape.
Canadians and Americans sit next to each other in the stands of a small Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., hockey arena to watch the Soo Thunderbirds face off against their cross-border rivals, Michigan's Soo Eagles.
A number of school bus routes in northwestern Ontario have been cancelled Wednesday after a dump of snow overnight in the region. A number of weather advisories also remain in effect in the region, including snow squall warnings in the Greenstone area.
Waterloo regional councillors have voted down a motion that would have asked the Waterloo Regional Police Service to cut $4 million from its proposed 2025 budget.
Residents of a neighbourhood in the heart of downtown Charlottetown hope to have a community garden in place on some vacant land by the time spring arrives.
Planting trees is a popular way to mitigate climate change, but in northern and Arctic regions, it may not be an effective solution.
The RCMP says it's considering deploying Mounties-in-training to help police the Canada-U.S. border as political anxiety over border control mounts in the face of tariff threats from the incoming Trump administration.
Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were honoured Tuesday night before the Calgary Flames played the Columbus Blue Jackets, on the same ice where Johnny etched his place as a cherished member of the city's hockey community.