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'I'm still alive' SA国际影视传媒 displaced residents try to stay positive following fire

SA国际影视传媒淚'm sorry. We can't save this building.SA国际影视传媒

At that moment, speaking with a firefighter at the scene of Tuesday's devastating Rockhill apartment blaze, Malaiya Kolola knew she'd lost everything.

SA国际影视传媒淚 just re-started my life,SA国际影视传媒 said Kolola, who moved into the transitional housing unit SA国际影视传媒 run by the YWCA NWT SA国际影视传媒 not even a year ago.

After a brief exchange with a firefighter early Tuesday morning, Malaiya Kolola knew she'd lost everything. Kolola lived on the third-floor of Rockhill Apartments SA国际影视传媒 which was gutted after an early morning fire ripped through it - but she isn't losing hope in the face of tragedy. SA国际影视传媒淚'm still alive, so I can re-build (my life),SA国际影视传媒 she said. SA国际影视传媒淚f I did it once, I can do it again.SA国际影视传媒
Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.

SA国际影视传媒淚 ran away here and re-started my life,SA国际影视传媒 a teary-eyed Kolola told Yellowknifer Tuesday morning.

Kolola, who spoke with Yellowknifer at the Multiplex's gym SA国际影视传媒 a temporarily space for the up to 33 families displaced by the blaze SA国际影视传媒 said she's received SA国际影视传媒渁 lot of support,SA国际影视传媒 in the wake of the fire.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen we first came here, we were cold and hunger. Now we're warm and fed. There's good people around,SA国际影视传媒 she said.

Koloa is choosing to remain optimistic in the face of tragedy.

SA国际影视传媒淚'm still alive, so I can re-build (my life),SA国际影视传媒 she said. SA国际影视传媒淚f I did it once, I can do it again.SA国际影视传媒

One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, and her three children, were also forced from their third-floor apartment unit and into the Multiplex early Tuesday.

SA国际影视传媒淚t was unexpected and scary for my kids,SA国际影视传媒 she said.

The woman said she awoke to the sound of alarms, before waking up her three small children and dressing them as quickly as she could.

SA国际影视传媒淏ut we're here now. We're safe,SA国际影视传媒 she added.

Lyda Fuller, executive director of the YWCA NWT, was on hand at the Multiplex.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have a lot of children here, and everybody seems pretty calm,SA国际影视传媒 said Fuller.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople have said to me they're so encouraged by the response from the community SA国际影视传媒 that the community is rallying, and that they feel like they won't be forgotten about,SA国际影视传媒 said Fuller.

Fuller said the YWCA NWT rents private units in Northview buildings across the city. SA国际影视传媒淲e're hoping to house people in some of those units at least in the intermediate term,SA国际影视传媒 said Fuller.

Just before 3 p.m. Tuesday, a representative from Northview Apartments confirmed all the families displaced in the fire had been re-housed in private units owned by the development company.

The YWCA later clarified  that 21 families were relocated into Northview properties while 12 have made alternative arrangements with friends or family.

But as Fuller told Yellowknifer, temporary housing is only part of the uphill battle ahead.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople have lost everything and they likely don't have tenant's insurance. But through community donations we'll provide furniture for people so that when we do relocated them they can have some basic possessions,SA国际影视传媒 she said.

Fuller noted the the YWCA NWT had extended its lease on the Rockhill building for another 10 years just this summer.

Staff was also on hand to provide emergency applications for income assistance, said Fuller.

SA国际影视传媒淲e will help people rebuild,SA国际影视传媒 she said.

YWCA NWT officials are asking for online SA国际影视传媒 not physical SA国际影视传媒 donations at this time. Donations can be submitted to .

A number of city businesses have rallied behind the uprooted families, including Yellowknife CO-OP and DC Moving, who've offered donations to those affected by Tuesday's blaze.

According to Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green, a process has started to set up a drop-off spot where Yellowknifers can donate furniture and other household necessities.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll families still need furniture and essentials,SA国际影视传媒 tweeted Green.

Until then, Koloa said she'll be rebuilding her life, SA国际影视传媒渙ne step at a time.SA国际影视传媒





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