by Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 03/97) - Though still under investigation, police are certain last week's Quality Furniture fire was the work of an arsonist and Crime Stoppers posters, offering a reward for information on the $800,000 blaze, have sprung up around Yellowknife.

"A combined investigation between the fire marshal's office and Yellowknife's RCMP detachment has determined that this fire was intentionally set," said Sgt. Tom Steggles, Crime Stoppers Association co-ordinator.

Exactly how the early morning fire on the 6400 block of Franklin Avenue was set, however, remains a mystery.

"We have to wait for the lab results to come back," said Staff Sgt. Dave Grundy, who explained that burn patterns will give clues as to how the fire was set.

Grundy said no suspects have been identified, but the crime is being featured by Crime Stoppers, which guarantees anonymity and offers cash rewards for information about this and other crimes.

Meanwhile, staff are busy at the new Quality Furniture location across the street from the blackened ruins, setting up and pricing inventory.

"We're still busy setting up, but the customers are coming back," said Mary Rocher one week after the fire.

NWT Fire Marshall Don Gilles said Tuesday that the exact cause of the fire hasn't yet been determined, but said he would like to commend the Yellowknife Fire Department for a superb job.