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No serious injuries reported after Hay River highrise fire

Paul Hergott
2003fir22
A fire broke out in an apartment on the 11th floor of Hay River's Mackenzie Place - commonly referred to as the highrise - on the afternoon of March 15. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo
A fire broke out in an apartment on the 11th floor of Hay River's Mackenzie Place - commonly referred to as the highrise - on the afternoon of March 15. Paul Bickford/NNSL photo
A fire broke out in an apartment on the 11th floor of Hay River's Mackenzie Place - commonly referred to as the highrise - on the afternoon of March 15.
Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

An apartment on the 11th floor of the Hay River highrise erupted in flames on the afternoon of March 15.

At about 2:30 p.m., smoke could be seen billowing from the north side of the 17-storey building, and eventually flames started to leap out the windows of the apartment, as broken glass fell to the ground.

Members of the RCMP and the Hay River Fire Department could be seen leading people out of the building, including some in wheelchairs.

At about 4 p.m., a spokesperson for the Town of Hay River said the incident was still being assessed, but it was believed at that time that there were no serious injuries in the fire.

Residents of the highrise were being asked to register at the Community Hall in the Rec Centre.

It is believed that between 100-125 people live in the building, which was constructed in the 1970s.

The blaze was the second serious fire in Hay River this month. A stubborn fire at the landfill site has been burning since March 3.