INUVIK - Inuvik police are investigating a Jan. 4 fire at Samuel Hearne Secondary School as attempted arson.

A Jan. 4 fire at Samuel Hearne Secondary School was put out by teachers and likely caused by students. The school was evacuated, though there was minimal damage and class was back in session in under an hour. - Aaron Beswick/NNSL photo

"It looks like the fire was intentionally set," said Cpl. Sean Doornbos. "The damage was minimal but schools are supposed to be a safe place for kids and staff and whoever set this fire put everyone in danger."

A toilet paper dispenser on the second floor of the Grade 7 to 12 school was set alight during the morning of Jan. 4. Teachers Allan Gillis, Eric Church and school employee Shannon Kenney put out the fire after staff were alerted by smoke coming from the washroom. The fire department was called and the school evacuated.

"The flames were starting to get near the ceiling," said principal Roman Mahnic of the fire's progression before it was put out. "It's a good thing we do fire drills; everyone was evacuated quickly."

Fourteen firefighters arrived and ventilated the building to remove smoke. Students, meanwhile, were kept in the fire hall and non-attached school buildings.

Deputy fire chief Julie Miller of the Inuvik Fire Department said students lighting fires has been a problem in the past at both Samuel Hearne and Sir Alexander Mackenzie School.

"There's been many incidents of child fire play," said Miller. "They need to understand that when they light these fires they endanger their own lives, the lives of their friends, other students, firefighters and teachers. They put a tremendous number of people at risk."

The fire department maintains a list of "juvenile firestarters," shared between them, school staff and RCMP.

Between the efforts of the fire department and the school, students were back in class less than an hour after the evacuation. The school's vice-principal made an address to students and staff congratulating them on their quick evacuation but also warning of the danger caused by the fire.

"Right now we're concerned about copycats and the school is on heightened alert," said Mahnic. "We are in discussions with the fire department about doing some fire safety training with students. This was a very disruptive incident."

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