Lutselk'e, N.W.T., chief's house burns down

Chief Antoine Michel's house in Lutselk'e, N.W.T., burned to the ground early Tuesday morning.

Michel was travelling at the time, but his wife and youngest daughter were in the house. They made it out safely but weren't able to save anything.

Lutselk’e RCMP say one of the occupants received minor burns to her hands and arms and was treated at the local nursing station and released.

RCMP say they were notified of the fire at about 7 a.m. and arrived to find community members battling the blaze which had already engulfed the house.

The log house wasn't insured. Michel said he tried to get insurance but was turned down.

He said insurance companies told him log homes are just too expensive to replace. 

"You can’t get insurance on a log house and I’ve been trying it for a long time. I’m trying to get insurance on it and they say you can’t and that’s bullshit."

It’s estimated the house was worth more than $200,000.

The fire is under investigation by the RCMP and the N.W.T. Fire Marshal’s office. 

Michel said he believes the fire might have started from the woodstove.

Plans for donations and contributions to help the family are in the works.