Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Jan 07/02) - A community is rallying around five children whose mother has been charged with arson after their house was set ablaze just before Christmas.

The RCMP and Nunavut fire marshall's office were still investigating the fire, which took place on Dec. 22. However, 34-year-old Nancy Angulalik is charged with arson.

Const. Kevin Melnechenko said the woman's common-law husband was home when the fire occurred, but suffered no injuries.

The five children were at another home with a babysitter at the time.

According to investigating officials, a lighter appears to have been used to set a bedspread alight. The flames spread to the rest of the house, destroying most of it.

The fire marshall's office could not provide information about the case until receiving approval from Manitok Thompson, the minister of community government and transportation, who was out of town and unavailable.

Cambridge Bay recreation co-ordinator Jason Tologanak said the hamlet set up a donation box after hearing about the fire. The hamlet donated $300, which was originally meant as prize money for a vehicle decorating contest.

Donations from the community brought the total to almost $700. Then, instead of giving the family money, the hamlet set up a temporary charge account at two stores for the family to buy clothes and food.

The day of the annual community Christmas party on Dec. 23 was also the youngest child's birthday.

When the children's grandparents brought them to the event, they received about 40 presents, as well as food and Christmas decorations.

"Just to make their Christmas a little bit better," said Tologanak. "The community really was impacted by the situation," he said.