Hay River (July 24/06) - A fire and ensuing smoke has damaged the Soaring Eagle Friendship Centre in Hay River.

A passer-by spotted smoke coming out of the building just after midnight on July 19 and the Hay River Fire Department and the RCMP were alerted.

Firefighters isolated and extinguished the blaze in an office within minutes of arriving on the scene.

Hay River Fire Chief Trent Atwell said the office was basically destroyed.

"The fire wasn't large," Atwell said. "There was lots of smoke damage."

The fire chief added the smoke went throughout the one-storey downtown building.

Along with offices, the centre contains a hall used for meetings and youth activities.

The centre was closed Wednesday waiting for the investigation to be complete.

By Thursday, staff members were back in the building assessing the damage.

"Right now, we're trying to get things cleaned up," said Vern Jones, the centre's executive director.

Jones said, until the situation is fully assessed, it is uncertain whether programs may have to find temporary space elsewhere.

No cost estimate has yet been made of the damage.

Fire Marshal Bernie Van Tighem said there are "very strong indications" the fire was caused by a laptop computer in a case.

"It was right at the source of the fire," Van Tighem said, noting it was the only possible energized piece of equipment at the source.

Van Tighem said there is no way of knowing if the laptop was turned on or off.

The investigation was conducted by an assistant fire marshal from Fort Simpson as the South Slave's assistant fire marshal is currently on vacation.

The centre, which employs seven people, offers a number of programs, including activities for youth, a food bank and advocacy services. The building, which is insured, is also used by the community for various meetings and activities.

Jones said the friendship centre is very important to Hay River, noting more than 500 people use it each month.

"People are talking about it like it's a family thing," he said of reaction to the fire. "It affects a lot of people."