On Tuesday afternoon, a fire erupted in Nukissiorfiit, a neighborhood in Aasiaat. This alarming incident comes just a month after a previous fire near the local power plant.
The fire, reported at 3:33 PM, was swiftly contained, although it did produce significant smoke, creating concern among residents. Aqqalu Petersen, the head of duty at Greenland Police, provided an update on the situation Wednesday morning.
As a result of the fire, the city experienced a power outage lasting about an hour. Investigations are underway, with the fire brigade and police conducting technical assessments later in the day.
### Rape Incident on December 1
In a separate matter, Petersen reported a serious crime—a rape that took place in the village of Tasiusaq, near Nanortalik, on Monday, December 1.
“The suspect is a man in his 50s, while the victim is in her 20s,” he stated. The accused has since been questioned, formally charged, and subjected to a background check, but has been released. Still, the investigation remains active, and it’s possible that the case could lead to court proceedings.
### Drunk Driving and Theft Incidents
Petersen also touched on two troubling incidents involving car theft and drunk driving that occurred shortly before the fire in Aasiaat—one in Nuuk and the other in Qaqortoq.
In Nuuk, the incident was reported around 4:20 AM on Wednesday. When officers attempted to pursue the vehicle, it collided with a lamp post in the Nuussuaq district. The driver, a minor, was found to be under the influence of alcohol. Fortunately, he emerged unscathed but was arrested, charged, and underwent a blood test to determine his exact blood alcohol content. Several minors were also in the vehicle; however, Petersen refrained from specifying their number, noting that social authorities had been alerted due to their status as minors.
The incident in Qaqortoq occurred mere minutes before the one in Nuuk, but further details remain under wraps as the investigation continues.