Hay River RCMP announced that two people are facing charges and remain in custody following an alleged incident of arson in the early morning hours of Sunday.
The alleged incident was brought to the attention of police after a number of reports came in from the community of a fire that broke out in a residential area.
“On June 29th at approximately 5:30 a.m. Hay River RCMP received a report that a residence was on fire in the Rowe’s Trailer Court and that people had been seen fleeing the area,” said police
RCMP and the Hay River Fire Department were on scene immediately in response to the reports.
“Officers attended, along with members of the Hay River Fire Department. The structure was described as a total loss, with damage being sustained by the neighboring houses,” said police.
Following an investigation, officials determined that the fire was not an accident.
“Evidence indicated that the fire was deliberately set. Through investigation, two suspects were identified and subsequently arrested,” said Hay River RCMP in their announcement today.
A 22-year-old man from Hay River and a 43-year-old man from Kátł’odeeche First Nation are both facing charges including:
- Arson, contrary to section 434 of the Criminal Code
- Common Nuisance endangering life, contrary to section 180(1) of the Criminal Code
The 22-year-old man from Hay River is also facing a further charge of wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence, contrary to section 351(2) of the Criminal Code.
The 43-year-old man from Kátł’odeeche First Nation was already bound by conditions from previous charges and faces a further charge of failure to comply with an undertaking, contrary to section 145(4)(a) of the Criminal Code.
RCMP reported that both men appeared before a Justice of the Peace and were remanded into custody.
Officers are appealing to the public to report any information they might have in relation to this incident.
“Information from the public is the best tool police have when combatting crime,” said Hay River RCMP in their announcement today.
Police ask anyone with information on this matter to contact the Hay River RCMP at 867-874-1111 or Crime Stoppers at http://www.p3tips.com. In the event of an emergency call, police ask the public to call 911
