Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 18/02) - RCMP officers were present at Sir John Franklin and St. Patrick high schools last week following a blaze that left two teens badly burned.

"The fire involved two students at St. Pat's and there was fear of retaliation," said Sir John's principal Meike Cameron.

"On Monday and Tuesday police were in the school to make sure everything was calm."

Cameron said she made the request following the Sept. 8 fire and has kept in close contact with the RCMP.

School liaison officer Const. Rob James was the member who was stationed at Sir John. He said it was a preventative measure.

"We were just afraid of any fallout from the factions involved in the arson," said James.

There was concern that friends of the burn victims from St Pat's were going to seek retribution on a student at Sir John who was rumoured to have started the blaze.

"There were a lot of rumours going around as to who did it," said James.

The two days went by without incident according to James and the police presence has since been diminished.

"We're not 100 per cent sure, but everything seems to have died down," said James.

"We wanted to make sure everyone was safe."

Yellowknife teenagers Seth Rowe, 18, and a 16-year-old who cannot be identified under the Young Offender's Act were charged with arson in connection with the cabin fire. The blaze occurred at 5005 Bryson Dr. and resulted in two local youths being sent to hospital in Edmonton.

Lindsey Rocher, 15, and Claire Brookes, 17, are recovering from their injuries. St. Pat's administrators were attending a conference and could be reached for comment by press time.