Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 07/02) - The RCMP are seeking two females suspected of setting 10 small fires on Lanky Court early Tuesday.

The Yellowknife Fire Department was called to the scene about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday morning to respond to initial reports of a brush fire in the area.

Six fire response vehicles and 17 personnel arrived to discover 10 small fires burning near the Lanky Court apartment buildings. Arson was immediately suspected.

"(The suspects) attempted to set structures on fire by lighting grass and weeds around some of the structures," said deputy fire chief Sandy McPhee.

The culprits were successful in lighting a box encasing the power meters for one of the units. McPhee said it is believed the suspects used matches or a lighter to start the fires.

Fire crews were on the scene for approximately 1 1/2 hours. The fires, however, were extinguished within 20 minutes, according to McPhee.

"The grass throughout the whole area of Yellowknife is pretty dry. We've been dealing with grass fires all last week and this week again," said McPhee.

The investigation has been turned over to the RCMP. Cpl. Mike Brandford said two female suspects, believed to be under the age of 18, were observed fleeing the scene on foot.

Brandford said the RCMP is requesting assistance from the public in identifying the female suspects.