WINNIPEG – Police have arrested five children aged 12 to 15 in connection with a fire that sent flames high over downtown Winnipeg on Monday.
Girls aged 12, 14 and 15 and two 13-year-old boys face charges of arson causing damage to property, arson with disregard for human life, break, enter and commit arson and possession of incendiary material, Winnipeg police said Thursday morning.
All five have been released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.
READ MORE: Winnipeg fire crews battle huge blaze downtown
Witnesses said they saw five teens running from the scene when the empty apartment building at 44 Hargrave St. went up in flames at about 6:45 p.m. Monday.
The fire caused an estimated $1-million damage. The apartment block next to the gutted building was also damaged, with windows cracked by the extreme heat and water entering the building during firefighters’ battle against the blaze.
The fire sent flames high above Winnipeg’s downtown and its smoke could be seen 50 kilometres away.
READ MORE: Winnipeg police seek teen suspects in downtown blaze
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