Arson suspected in early morning blaze

04/27/2010

The Kahnawà:ke Mohawk Peacekeepers received a call about a fire at the old campus of the Kahnawà:ke Survival School (KSS) at approximately 03:47am this morning. All members of the Kahnawà:ke Fire Brigade (KFB) were immediately called to the scene to battle the general alarm blaze.

Due to a lack of water at the old KSS campus, the KFB also requested water tanker trucks from several fire departments in the surrounding area, part of a mutual aid agreement between Kahnawà:ke and many neighboring communities. The blaze was finally extinguished around 07:30am after destroying two buildings.

The Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers and KFB have reason to believe this fire was an act of arson. There have been 28 fires that have occurred in Kahnawà:ke since April 6, 2010, this one being the most serious. In 4 occurrences of the 28 fires, a white All Terrain Vehicle was spotted in the area.

"These fires are dangerous and threaten life and property,” commented Chief Peacekeeper Dwayne Zacharie.

The Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers are requesting help from the community in solving these crimes. Please contact the Kahnawà:ke Peacekeepers at 450-632-6505, or call the Crime Stopper Anonymous Tip Line at 450-632-2802 if you have any information.