Igloolik family escapes house fire started by child playing with lighter

A woman and two children are receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries after a fire destroyed their home in Igloolik, Nunavut, early Saturday morning, according to RCMP.

Celestino Amaroalik, Igloolik's deputy fire chief, said the fire began when the youngest childwas playing with a lighter in the bedroom. He said the mother,GraceIvvalu, tried to put the fire out, burning her hands in the process.

AGoFundMewebpage says Ivvaluwasbadly burned and wasmedevacedto a hospital in Ottawa, which the Igloolik RCMP werenot able to confirm.

Corp. Tom Graham said the station was notified of the fire at about 6:30 a.m. He said the damage to the home was significant.

"Whether it's totally destroyed or not, is yet to be determined."

Amaroaliksaideight firefighters fought the blaze for six hours.

Community raises $1,300 in 2 hours

Dana Sheaves, who works at the Igloolik Co-op,said she is proud of her community for the support they showed for Ivvalu and her childrenat an event last night.

"The hallways were full, the community hall was full," she said.

A games night, put on by the Co-op and a group based in Ontario called Friends of the North, was originally intended to raise moneyfor an emergency food fund.

"We made a choice with Friends of the North to do the fundraiser in aid of the family that had the fire," said Sheaves.

More than $1,300 was raised through50/50 draws and other ticket sales, which will go to gift certificates so the family can buy items likefood and clothing. Further donations of more than $500 have been collected.

"I think it's fantastic that we all care for our community and our people so much," said Sheaves.