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ACHO DENE KOE/FORT LIARD
The Hamlet of Fort Liard's fire chief is concerned about the escalating number of arson cases in the community and what could be next.

After extinguishing a fire in an abandoned house in Fort Liard in the early morning on June 6, the Fort Liard Volunteer Fire Department returned a few hours later to find the house fully engulfed in flames. - photo courtesy of Robert Firth

Since joining the fire department in 2009, Robert Firth has seen a variety of intentionally-set fires. Grass fires are common, particularly along the airport where the grass grows taller, he said.

In the past two years, Firth has seen at least two cases where people's vehicles were set on fire. In one instance, a person was charged after a vehicle parked outside of the door of a home was burned.

In June 2012, a small house was completely burned and most recently on June 6 of this year, a second abandoned house was burned to the ground. Both house fires were arson, said Firth, who is the chief of fire and emergency services for the hamlet.

First and foremost, Firth said he's concerned about the safety of the volunteer firefighters in the hamlet. When people set a fire, it's not just about burning down a building, it also creates a danger to people, he said.

"We're the guys that have to deal with this risk," said Firth. Every intentionally-set fire has the potential to cause the loss of life or harm to a firefighter, said Firth. The most recent June fire is a prime example.

"This was a pretty significant fire," he said.

When the department responded at 1:51 a.m. with eight members, including four junior firefighters, they found the house on Cotton Wood Road partially on fire. The fire was quickly extinguished and members searched for hidden hotspots, said Firth, who was out of the hamlet at the time on vacation.

The department also had to contend with intoxicated members of the public who were watching the fire and criticizing the firefighters' efforts, said Firth.

The department was called back out again at 7:30 a.m. and found the house fully engulfed in flames. The firefighters protected surrounding buildings and prevented grass fires as the house burned to the ground.

The house, which had recently been taken over by the NWT Housing Corporation, had been abandoned for a number of years and was a known party house. Firth suspects alcohol was involved in the arson.

The first fire was definitely caused by arson and either a hot spot ignited or the arsonist came back to finish the house off after the department left the first call, he said.

Firth said he's also concerned by the fact that intentionally-set fires have seemingly become accepted in the community. When a fire happens, residents talk about it for awhile, but no real action is taken before the next one happens.

It's frustrating, said Firth, to put up posters with photos of the fire and the number for Crime Stoppers urging people to report information about the arson and not get any results.

"I know somebody knows who did this in the community and they are not coming forward," he said.

Firth said he understands people don't want to get involved and go to court, but that it's only a matter of time before a building is set on fire with someone inside of it.

"How serious does it have to get before somebody says, 'That's enough,'?" he asked.

"Where's it going to end."

The hamlet council hasn't had a meeting since the fire occurred in June.

Fort Liard Mayor Morris McLeod said that he doesn't think the number of intentionally set fires is increasing. McLeod, however, wasn't surprised that the house in the June 6 fire burnt down. There are a few other houses in the community that are also known as party houses that may burn down if they aren't torn down first, he said.

Following media requests from the Deh Cho Drum, the RCMP G Division sent out a press release asking for the public's assistance in solving the June 6 house fire. The RCMP in Fort Liard have received some information about possible suspects and are continuing to investigate.

In the release, the RCMP said the cause of the fire isn't known. People with information can contact the Fort Liard RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers.

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