Police have charged a 32-year-old in connection with a fire at a home on the city’s Northside on Saturday.
According to Lethbridge Police Service officials, around 8 a.m. Saturday, officers responded to a report that a male, who is alleged to have been armed with a knife, entered the home along the 800 block of 20th Street North and was pouring gasoline throughout the property. When police arrived at the scene, residents had already exited the building. However, officials say the suspect did not cooperate with the police’s direction and refused to leave.
A statement released by LPS reads, “Neighbouring units were evacuated as a precaution, and police observed smoke coming from the upstairs windows of the unit with the armed male inside. Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services extinguished the fire, and the male was taken into custody.”
The man was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation by EMS, and no other injuries were reported.
The 32-year-old is facing several arson, destruction of property, and disregard for human life related charges. The man has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
