A 44-year-old woman faces arson charges in connection with a grass fire Tuesday.
According to the Lethbridge Police Service, officers and crews from Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded to a fire in the coulees between the 1200 and 1600 blocks of Scenic Drive South, near Mountain View Cemetery, at about 12:45 p.m. on Jan. 13. Crews from five LFES stations responded to extinguish the fire, and residents in nearby buildings were evacuated as a precaution.
Police said officers at the scene were alerted to a woman described as “suspicious” who was seen running from the fire. Police said they quickly located the woman near the cemetery fence line and took her into custody without incident.
Investigators said witnesses saw the woman near the fire and alleged she fled when the fire began to spread rapidly due to wind. Police also reported finding personal property belonging to the suspect nearby, along with a lighter.
Police charged the woman with three counts of arson, disregard for human life, and failing to comply with the conditions of a probation order. She was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 16.
Police said no gravestones at the cemetery were damaged by the fire, and firefighters remained on scene afterward to ensure there were no flare-ups.
