Yellowknife (July 21/03) - There was a "suspicious in nature" fire at a Range Lake mobile home early Saturday.

The fire at 21 Horton Crescent started in a backyard shed just after 5 a.m. July 19. Flames quickly spread to the residence.

The RCMP will continue its investigation into the cause of the fire that resulted in $130,000 of property loss to the structure and contents.

Firefighters responded quickly and prevented the fire from spreading beyond the back bedroom.

Norman "Dennis" Ellis and his girlfriend Michelle were both home when the fire started. Two children who also live in the house were away.

Ellis, an equipment operator at Ekati, woke up when he heard something popping.

"My girlfriend said, 'there's a fire in the shed.'"

Ellis was able to retrieve some of his more valuable belongings from the room before he fled the residence, according to Command firefighter Girda Groothuizen.

"There was a lot of smoke damage," she said.

The fire department went back to investigate the scene later that morning.

"The occupant said he hasn't been in the shed for a month," she said.

A Red Cross representative arrived on the scene as firefighters wrapped up their gear to offer Ellis emergency assistance.