[MSN] Canada. Police probing link between blaze, theft; Replica Indian village broken into the night before costly fire

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Police probing link between blaze, theft; Replica Indian village broken 
into the night before costly fire

Julie Rudd  /  OSPREY news network
Local News - Thursday, May 10, 2007 @ 07:00

Thieves broke into the Huron Ouendat Indian Village the night before the 
tourist attraction was engulfed in flames, leaving police to investigate 
a possible link.

"I think there's certainly a possibility that there's a connection 
between the two incidents," said Det. Sgt. Jim Rettinger of the Midland 
Police Service. "We can't rule that out, but we can't give that 
particular investigation a link yet."

Firefighters from Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny Township were called 
to the scene after fire was reported Tuesday at about 8 p.
m. Police say it took several hours before the blaze was finally out.

According to Jamie Hunter, curator of the Huronia Museum, the fire 
appears to have started at the front of the replica village and worked 
its way back. Destroyed was one of the two longhouses, maintenance 
tools, exhibit materials and a classroom used for children's programming.

Hunter says the fire caused at least $250,000 damage.

"It's hard to say, but the loss of six buildings and its contents plus 
the palisades was a pretty severe setback," he said

This is not the first fire at the village. About two years ago, Hunter 
says youths set fire to the far side of the village during the day. But 
it was caught by staff before significant damage could be done.

The issue of more concern for the museum staff is its vulnerability to 
break-ins.

Hunter says the village has been broken into many times. The most recent 
of which took place Monday night.

"We did receive a report of a break-in into the foyer area of the indian 
village," Rettinger said. "Some artifacts were damaged, and a couple 
items were stolen."

The break-in was discovered by the museum staff Tuesday morning.

The Ontario Fire Marshal's office is investigating Tuesday's blaze.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/