by Ric Stryde and Cheryl Leschasin
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 27/97) - Bellowing smoke was spotted from blocks away last Thursday, as flames engulfed and then destroyed an abandoned shack across the road from St. Patrick high school, on GNWT Public Works property.

One woman who asked not to be named said that she, her husband and her kids were driving by and saw some smoke. She said she "thought maybe it was the government just burning some trash," but they decided to check it out anyway.

They arrived, and confirmed that it was a fire. Another woman ran out of the school with a phone, so the first woman's husband called the fire department.

"We phoned three times before they answered," said the woman. "I asked the kids, 'are you sure that's the number they taught you in school?'"

The fire department finally did get word, then were on the scene within minutes, and had the fire extinguished immediately.

"We saw a man with a red shirt and a hat," said one witness. "And there were a few more in the woods, hiding in the trees."

However, no suspects have been found for this, or the fire that claimed a shed in the alley behind YK Pizza and Deli.

"This profile is typical of youth," said Mike Lowing, deputy fire chief, referring to young people between the ages of nine and 14.

Youth-profile fires are usually set off on a main road where people can't see well. Youths usually set fires as part of a group, rather than individually. Also, time of day plays a big part in determining what type of person set a fire. Both recent fires were set around 8:30 p.m.

Lowing said there are precautions people can take to protect theirs and their neighbor's property from deliberately set fires, including deliberately set fires as well as those accidentally set by kids playing with matches and lighters.

"If you see activity, call," said Lowing. Most youth-set fires happen after kids have been playing with fire for a few weeks.

He also suggested limiting the opportunities youth have to set fires in and around property by not piling garbage or goods next to homes or sheds. Also, keep sheds locked and yards free of garbage and debris.