Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Jan 13/06) - Locating the source of the mysterious water spill in front of Northmart early last Thursday morning kept town public works staff, the fire department and a local plumbing contractor busy for much of the day.

As water continued to pour on to the sidewalk Jan. 5, the cool temperatures quickly turned the area into a skating rink and barriers were erected to warn pedestrians.

"We have no idea," said Fire Capt. Julie Miller late Thursday afternoon from inside Northmart.

After manager of public works Rick Campbell confirmed that all utilidors were fine and a broken water pipe was not to blame, many suspected the water was coming from inside Northmart.

However, store manager Cliff Stringer said plumbers couldn't find any leaks at Northmart.

"The only conclusion we can come up with is that it's coming from the roof," he said.

"We had quite a warm spell and with heat coming from the inside of the roof, we think the snow melted," causing overflow in the drainage system, he said.

All snow has since been removed from the Northmart roof, added Stringer.