SASKATOON – A 14-year-old boy has been charged with one count of arson and one count of break and enter following last week’s blaze at a Saskatoon salvage yard. The fire is still under investigation and police expect to lay more charges, officials said.
The fire broke out Tuesday, April 19, sending huge plumes of black smoke into the sky above AJ’s Salvage at the corner of 14th Street West and Avenue P South.
READ MORE: Firefighters bring Saskatoon industrial blaze under control
At the time, witnesses reported seeing kids trying to start fires in the area. Officers tracked down five boys between the ages of eight and 14 who were held for questioning.
They were released to their parents.
One week later, Saskatoon Police spokesperson Kelsie Fraser told Global News two boys were responsible for the blaze, but only the 14-year-old can be charged.
“Another youth is under the age of 12, so he is not able to be charged,” Fraser said.
“We were also able to determine that the other three youth involved did not have a direct impact on starting the fire,” she added.
Damage is estimated at $250,000 and the owner isn’t insured because the yard contains mostly scrap parts.