Fire causes ‘considerable’ damage to Nunavut observatory

RESOLUTE, Nunavut – An observatory in Resolute, Nunavut, has been damaged by fire.

RCMP say the building was empty when police responded to the structure fire on Tuesday.

While no injuries were reported, the blaze destroyed the observatory’s living quarters and resulted in smoke and water damage to the building that houses the generator.

Police say the total value of the loss is still being determined, but it is expected to be considerable.

A fire investigator from the territorial government is headed to the community to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Police say they have identified two suspects and an investigation is ongoing.

The U.S. National Science Foundation research station is operated by SRI International, an American non-profit research institute based in California.

Feature image by iStock.com/Rain Ungert