A Clearwater County man has been charged with setting fire to a commercial building east of Innisfail, according to local authorities.
The incident occurred on May 10, when emergency crews responded to a fire at a commercial building in the rural area east of Innisfail. The building, which housed a business, was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene.
After an investigation by the RCMP and the Office of the Fire Commissioner, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set. As a result, 35-year-old John Smith has been charged with arson and mischief over $5,000.
Smith was arrested on May 12 and is currently in custody. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 20.
The RCMP would like to thank the public for their assistance in this investigation. They are also reminding everyone to report any suspicious activity to the police.
The damage to the commercial building is estimated to be over $500,000. Fortunately, no one was injured in the fire.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety and the devastating consequences of arson. The RCMP and the Office of the Fire Commissioner are continuing to investigate the incident and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
We will continue to provide updates on this story as more information becomes available.
