Fire destroys Iqaluit airport cargo building

Firefighters in Iqaluit battled a blaze Saturday that destroyed Canadian North's cargo facility next to the local airport's terminal building.

Fire crews arrived around 6 a.m. ET Saturday at the burning building, which contained fuel and other combustible materials. The road leading to the airport was closed for about 12 hours, but airport officials said they managed to handle all incoming and outgoing flights that day.

Iqaluit Fire Chief Greg Jewers said the firefighters were finished around 5 p.m. but returned to the scene throughout Saturday night and Sunday to deal with hot spots and smouldering material.

No damage estimate was given. Therewas no word on how the fire started, but Jewers confirmed Sunday that arson has beenruled out.

A notice on Canadian North's website saidthe airline moved its cargo facilities to a temporary location in Iqaluit and that it was working with cargo customers who might have lost freight in the blaze.