Fire consumes arena, circus and performing arts space in Igloolik, Nunavut [Video]

A fire has destroyed the arena in Igloolik, Nunavut, along with an important community hub that houses a local circus and performing arts space. 

The fire broke out around 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, said George Qaunaq, the community’s chief administrative officer. It engulfed the Kipsigak Arena which is also home to Artcirq’s Black Box, where it runs its circus and community programing. 

The building can’t be saved and will need to be demolished, Qaunaq said.

“The whole building is going to have come down,” he said.

He said the fire started sometime in the night, but the cause is still unknown. 

Smoke could still be seen billowing from the building on Wednesday evening. Earlier in the day, the smoke spread throughout the community, shutting down schools and closing the health centre. 

The hamlet has created a warming centre to support people displaced from their homes because of the smoke, the …