Fire claims Fort Chipewyan lodge

Fort Chipewyan RCMP and Volunteer Fire Department responded to a reports of a fire inside the Fort Chipewyan Lodge on Monday morning.

The lodge was opened for business at approximately 11:30 a.m. when the call came in, all staff and occupants had been safely evacuated from the building when rescue teams arrived on scene.

The fire broke out on the east side of the building where emergency crews were able to keep the blaze contained for some time. The fire eventually made its way to the roof as firefighters were unable to keep it from spreading.

The building has now been completely destroyed and was still burning late into the afternoon.

The exact cause of the fire is still not yet known though police do not consider the fire to be suspicious.

The Fort Chipewyan Lodge was constructed over 25 years ago and was a community landmark overlooking Lake Athabasca.