IQALUIT, Nunavut - Dozens of Nunavut students are homeless and without any of their worldly goods after a fire razed an apartment block in the middle of a frigid Arctic night in Iqaluit.

Early reports from the territory's coroner confirmed two dead in the blaze, which broke out late Sunday night. But the office said later in the day that could no longer be confirmed.

There was, however, no doubt about the fire's impact.

"Most people have lost everything," Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern said Monday.

Fire broke out in the 22-unit building about 10 p.m. Sunday in -50 C temperatures, Redfern said.

Nothing of it is left.

"It's burned to the ground. It is smouldering and they continue to put water on it but it's just steaming.

"We're trying to account for all the tenants and their families who were staying at the units."

Most of the residents were students at Nunavut Arctic College, along with their spouses, children and other adult family members. The 53 children affected range in age from infants to young adults. They have been accommodated in hotels, the college's old residence and with local people.

Town officials met Monday with the evacuees to discuss their next move.

"It was very difficult," said Redfern.

"Our old residence cafeteria was filled with families and children. It was very emotional. Some people are clearly upset and grieving, some are still in shock — dazed, confused, waiting and wondering where they're going to spend the night and where they're going to live and how they move on."

The fact most of the residents of the apartment were students, living away from their home community, makes it tougher to support the survivors and ensure there aren't more victims, said Redfern.

"Since the majority of the affected individuals appear to be students and their families, they are from other communities. We're very aware they may need support, since they're not residing in their home community.

"We're also trying to make sure that their family members and community are able to confirm that their loved ones are safe."

Grief counsellors have already been made available to the evacuees.

The community is doing what it can.

Nunavut Research Institute is the designated donations centre. The Red Cross is on its way with essentials such as toiletries and vouchers for food and clothing. The food bank has made up grocery baskets. Citizens and businesses are being asked for donations of clothing, bedding and cash.

Officials are looking for at least 20 housing units to accommodate the newly homeless.

That won't be easy. Housing is tight in Iqaluit at the best of times and the there have been a number of fires over the last year in the town of nearly 7,000 people that have reduced the stock even further — including one fire that wiped out 29 units.

"It's been a bad year," said Redfern. "It makes it very difficult and challenging."

But Redfern suggested that between Nunastar — the company that owned the destroyed building — Nunavut Arctic College and the Nunavut government, enough housing is likely to be found to house the evacuees.

Investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

— By Bob Weber in Edmonton

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. An earlier version had an official saying there were at least two dead. RCMP say they cannot confirm that.