HAY RIVER - Two suspicious fires over a period of eight days are being investigated in Hay River.

This abandoned car in Hay River recently burned in what the RCMP is describing as a suspicious fire. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

The first occurred at approximately 1 p.m. on July 11 in a vacant garage at the intersection of the Mackenzie Highway service road and Royal Road.

The second fire broke out in the early morning of July 19 in an abandoned car parked on Studney Drive in the town's industrial area.

The fires are being investigated by the RCMP and the NWT Fire Marshal's Office.

"Both are suspicious in nature," said Const. Jack Keefe of the RCMP, adding a cause has not been found for either fire.

"Vehicles don't normally combust in vacate lots," he said.

Keefe added there is also no explainable cause for the building fire, although it may have been set accidentally. The police have no suspects in either fire.

Keefe said there is absolutely nothing to suggest the two fires are connected.

Nor do the police have any indication there might be an arsonist roaming the community.

Keefe encouraged anyone who has information about the recent fires to contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.