Williams Lake RCMP investigating arson, 5 suspects arrested
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 5:20 PM - The Williams Lake RCMP are investigating after five males were arrested for allegedly attempting to light fires in the area on Tuesday.
Police were dispatched to the Lexington Road Subdivision just after 5:40 a.m. local time after residents in the area spotted plumes of smoke and called the RCMP.
"The caller reported seeing males hiding in the area after they attempted to light a number of fires," a RCMP press release reads. "Quick thinking by a number of local bystanders extinguished the flames before anyone was hurt or any damage to homes was done."
At this time the Williams Lake RCMP have four youths in custody in respect to the investigation of arson, Cpl. Madonna Saunderson District Advisory NCO (Media Relations) told The Weather Network on Wednesday.
"The immediate response of the bystanders and Williams Lake Fire Department likely prevented this event from causing serious harm to the home owner," RCMP Insp. Jeff Pelley said in the release. "Another fire within the city limits could have had a detrimental effect on our community."
A number of break and enters also occurred throughout the subdivision, which is home to about 50 residents.
"The investigation is ongoing, so the correlation between the two is being looked into," Cpl. Saunderson said.
Williams Lake RCMP say the investigation remains a top priority. No charges have been laid at this time.
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"A fire at any time can be very serious, especially in light of the situation that Williams Lake and the surrounding area are currently under with the fires in the Cariboo," said Cpl. Saunderson. "We certainly haven't had a lot of rain in the Cariboo Chilcotin area, so there's certainly a lack of moisture here."
Due to wildfires an evacuation alert was issued for Williams Lake on July 8, 9 and 10.
After consultation with the Cariboo Fire Centre, the City of Williams Lake Emergency Operations Centre recently determined that the imminent risk of danger to life and property within the area has diminished. As a result, the alert has been rescinded for Williams Lake. However, all city parks and trails, with the exception of Kiwanis and Boitanio parks are closed to the public until further notice.
SOURCE: RCMP
