Yellowknife (Feb 10/06) - Inuvik fire chief Al German is crediting elementary school staff and students' response to a fire there last Wednesday.

"The school did such a great job (evacuating) that everyone was outside by the time we arrived," he said, noting the department was there within minutes to respond to the 10:30 a.m. fire.

"A little girl in Grade 2 had a curiosity fire," said German of a toilet paper fire that spread to the plastic dispenser and engulfed much of the first floor in smoke. "There was enough to fill the complete east wing up. Visibility was zero."

School vice-principal Jason Dayman says damage was minimal and students were only outside for 15 to 20 minutes in the -39C weather. It took that amount of time for firefighters to determine it was safe to re-enter the building.

"The positive thing to come out of this is that staff and students handled it well," said Dayman. "Our fire drills paid off."

As for the youngster who started the fire, German says no charges will result from the matter.

"She's coming to the fire hall for the junior fire-setter program, designed to help educate kids to not start fires," said the chief.