RCMP investigating potential arson in Inuvik after Monday apartment fire

A six-unit apartment complex in Inuvik had two fires in the same day this week, severely damaging one unit and causing smoke damage to two others — and previously had been the target of an attempted arson earlier this month, RCMP say.

In a Thursday press release, Inuvik RCMP said they received a call about a fire at 1 a.m. on Monday. They are now investigating it as a potential arson.

At that time, the Inuvik fire department was already at the scene and no one was injured, police said.

An initial investigation "showed that the fire had been set deliberately," the press release said. Inuvik police are now further investigating the suspected arson.

According to Inuvik Fire Chief Brian Larman, this was the first of two fires at the same address on Inuit Road that day.

The fire at 1 a.m. resulted in no structural damage to the unit where it occurred or adjacent units, he said.

But the fire department was called to the same address after reports of another fire at 6 a.m. According to Larman, that second fire is the one that damaged three units.

In an email, he said 20 personnel with the Inuvik fire department and six fire apparatus were involved in the response to that fire. Firefighters were on the scene for five hours, Larman added.

He said the department's investigation into the origin of that 6 a.m. fire is ongoing, but they have confirmed it was a new fire and not part of the earlier 1 a.m. fire.

"We have eliminated a "flare-up" or "rekindle" as the cause and origin of the 6 a.m. incident based on photographic and video evidence, witness statements and other forensic analysis," Larman wrote.

"These are separate and distinct incidents and are being investigated as such."

CBC asked N.W.T. RCMP if the 6 a.m. fire was also being investigated as part of the current arson investigation. In response, RCMP spokesperson Cst. Josh Seaward said in an email that the circumstances of the second fire are still under investigation.

"Inuvik RCMP are taking these matters very seriously and are pursuing all investigative avenues," he added.

Inuvik RCMP said in their press release that the building that burned on Monday was also the subject of an attempted arson on Nov. 20.

They are asking anyone who may have footage on Inuit Road between Nov. 16 and Nov. 25 that shows a blue hatchback SUV to contact them, as a vehicle matching that description is believed to be involved.