RADILIH KOE/FORT GOOD HOPE - Two fires earlier this month are speeding Fort Good Hope's plans to organize a community watch program.

Fort Good Hope's Northern store burned to the ground on Monday, Dec, 14, as firefighters worked from around 3 p.m. to after 10 p.m., at which time it still smouldered. No one was injured in the fire and the cause is still under investigation by the NWT fire marshal's office. - photo courtesy of Vivian Edgi-Manuel

RCMP are investigating what they're considering "a suspicious fire" at a property near a convenience store that's a popular evening hang-out for kids.

"Nothings been confirmed yet but … we can all agree it was arson for sure," said Greg Laboucan, the community's senior administrative officer.

In response, the community hopes to form a group that will keep an eye on overnight activity.

"Some houses would be designated as community watch homes similar to block parents," Laboucan said.

He said the fire sped up a plan that was already in the works and Laboucan hopes to get a group underway by the middle of June. In the meantime, the community's bylaw officer's hours have changed. She's now patrolling the community from midnight until 8 a.m. daily.

"Our fire department is ready to go on any situation and our bylaw officer is ready to go, she's out all night," Laboucan said. "At least if there is a fire, at least we can respond to it as quickly as possible."

On May 12, RCMP Cpl. Bob Wolfenden said emergency crews were called to the scene shortly after 4 a.m. but despite fire crews fighting the blaze, the building burned to the ground.

It was the second time that week that flames engulfed the same building.

The previous morning, RCMP received a call around the same time and firefighters were able to get the fire under control.

"The first night (it was possible to save the house), and they did. The second night, no," he said.

RCMP are investigating the cause of the two fires and foul play can't be ruled out, said Wolfenden.

No one was injured but Wolfenden said vacant buildings in the community are a concern.

"They're abandoned and no one's watching them. They're potential targets," he said.

There was a third fire two weeks ago in another residence and police confirmed they are investigating the circumstances. The community of fewer than 600 people has been plagued with fires in the past. Last December, the Northern Store burned to the ground, and fires ravaged two other buildings – one an abandoned home and the other the old band complex.

The NWT Fire Marshall is still investigating the cause of those three fires, said Wolfenden.

In 2005, two vacant homes burned and in 2003, people were jailed following five separate fires.

J. Doug Louison, Fort Good Hope's former fire chief, said he's concerned about the frequency of suspicious fires and said arson is a problem in the community.

He believes young people are responsible for at least some of the blazes.

"Kids are bored they have nothing to do in the evenings. They don't go to school … they're just hanging around," he said. "It's idle hands I guess."

He attributes part of the problem to the closure of the youth centre last year.

"They need to be involved in something, these kids are up all night," he said.

Louison saw the damage to the house's roof on Tuesday and said he wasn't surprised when he heard it burned down Wednesday.

He said it's only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.

"One of these days somebody is going to get hurt," he said.

Laboucan said the community hopes to tear down abandoned buildings with owners' permission this summer to eliminate any potential risk. He said the watch group is a way for the community to look out for each other, but agreed young people "with too much time on their hands" were thought to be responsible.