Nunavut woman accused in Yellowknife fire back in jail

The woman accused of setting a blaze that destroyed eight Yellowknife townhouses last month was back in jail Thursday after being released on bail a week ago.

Yellowknife RCMP arrested Sheila Jewell, 26, from Gjoa Haven, Nunavut, on Thursday morning. She was charged with violating one of the conditions of her bail release that prohibits her from consuming alcohol.

Jewell made a brief court appearance Thursday afternoon and is scheduled to attend a bail hearing Friday afternoon on her newest charge.

She is already charged with arson endangering life and mischief endangering life, in relation to the Feb. 28 fire at the Bison Estates rental complex in downtown Yellowknife. If convicted, Jewell could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The territorial court released Jewell on bail March 7, but not before imposing conditions such as reporting to RCMP three times a week and having to stay in Yellowknife until she finalizes arrangements for a lawyer.

Jewell had initially proposed staying with her sister, but had to change that plan when the sister refused to house Jewell, according to the Crown.

She was then ordered to stay at the Centre for Northern Families, a local women's centre, when she is not in Gjoa Haven.