Arson charge laid following Nunavut Arctic College dorm fire

RCMP have charged a 34-year-oldmale with arson with disregard for life in relation to a Friday evening fire atNunavut Arctic College's Ukkivik Residencein Iqaluit.

No students or staff were injured in the fire, which started in a second floor roomFriday at about 10:30 p.m.

Firefighters were able to put out the flames.However, about 30 students living at the residence were displaced after the building's sprinkler system caused extensive damage to the building.

"I got there early morning, and when I got in there, there was a really strong smell," says Katrina Hatogina, who lives in the residence. "Like, have you been to an old, old cabin? Like that. Moldy... just not healthy."

Hatogina and her roommate, as well as the college's other displaced students, are now living in fully-furnishedapartment housing off-campus,arranged by Nunavut Arctic College.The dean of Nunavut Arctic College's Iqaluit campus, Eric Corneau, says the college is also delivering meals to the students, so they're not losing out on meals that havebeen pre-paid.

"And a bus service to bring them to campus," adds Corneau. "And we'll be advising them as to where the programs will be going on for the rest of the academic year."

Classes scheduled for the Ukkivikbuilding were cancelled on Monday, as the college works with government to find another space to hold them.

Corneau told CBC News that the building is in no condition to live or teach in, but he doesn't expect timelines forgraduation to be affected.