Yellowknife (Jan 15/07) - People in Tsiigehtchic had the lights turned out on their New Year's Eve parties, after someone shot a powerline.

Chief Peter Ross said some revelers were shooting into the air to celebrate 2007, and a stray bullet hit a line.

When it happened, at around 12:05 a.m., the lights went dark in some homes.

"It was an accident," Ross said, adding it's common for people to celebrate New Year's by shooting in the air.

About 12 people might have been shooting on the night in question.

To fix the problem, Ross said a worker was called from Inuvik's power corporation, and power was restored around 5 a.m.

Fort McPherson RCMP Sgt Calvin Roberts said police will investigate the matter, to see if charges are appropriate.

"It could be construed as careless use of a firearm," he said, but added that guns are probably fired "in many small towns across Canada" on New Year's and the practice in itself is not necessarily illegal.

Roberts said it's also possible the shot was a fluke, with no harm intended.

"The poor guy shot at the sky and missed," he said with a laugh.