2 recent Yellowknife house fires accidental, says N.W.T. fire marshal

Fire officials in Yellowknife say two recent fires in the city were accidental.

On Friday, a home in the Kam Lake Industrial Park caught fire after a can containing cigarette butts ignited. The flames spread to a propane tank which intensified the blaze.

The occupant and two cats escaped safely.

N.W.T. Fire MarshalChucker Dewarsaidthe fire caused significant damage to the home.

"If you're going to discard your cigarette butts, discard them in a non-combustible container and one that is sealed so that you don't get a fire developing inside the can and spreading to the residence," he said.

"Keep it away from the residence at a respectable distance so that if something does occur, it's not going to spread to the structure."

Dewar saida fire at a home on MoyleDrive on June 24was also accidental and was likely caused by construction on the roof. The house was unoccupied at the time.

A June 21housefire in Yellowknife's Old Town is still under investigation.

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