In the hours and days following the disastrous Rockhill Apartments fire, the community pulled together for the victims who were left homeless.
Thankfully, all tenants escaped without physical harm.
So much so, that everyone who needed a new place to live were provided with one, and charities had to turn away donations of clothing and goods after a day or two. There was also an online donation page that received untold thousands of dollars. How that will be divvied up isn't yet known.
It is without doubt an amazing example of how a community can help those in need. And the tenants of Rockhill were already going through tough times, as the block was operated as transitional housing by the YWCA.
The YWCA stated 21 Rockhill families were relocated into Northview REIT properties while 12 made alternative arrangements with friends or family.
But temporary housing and new clothing and housing goods won't erase the scars the people felt watching their homes go up in flames. Family treasures were lost. Memories were turned to ash and children will likely have nightmares about the pre-dawn fire for some time.
The YWCA stated it was likely none of the residents had tenant's insurance.
As of press deadline, the cause of the fire that started in a ground floor suite wasn't yet known.
But fires can be prevented.
And people need to protect themselves from disasters.
For most people, fire prevention is top of mind.
However, the city's fire crews are kept busy throughout the year battling residential blazes.
They start with faulty outside BBQ propane tanks, or overly eager attempts to thaw frozen pipes. Or a candle is left burning, or a pot overheats on the stove.
Or kids play with matches. Or any number of completely preventable situations.
In Yellowknifer's latest special full edition paper – to coincide with Fire Prevention Week 2018, Oct. 7
through Oct. 13 – we look at the causes of fires and also show how people can prevent them.
It's also crucial that people don't get lulled into a sense of complacency. The community's response to the Rockhill blaze was exceptional. But that doesn't mean you and your family will received the same immediate outpouring of help.
Statistics show that, on average, fire kills eight people each week in Canada, with residential fires accounting for 73 per cent of these fatalities.
Most fires can be prevented. But you need to be prepared for the unexpected – how to escape safely and quickly and also to have insurance for your apartment or house. The few hundred dollars a year for a policy will not only provide peace of mind but will ensure your have help when you need it.