EDMONTON – Two Edmonton teens are facing arson-related charges in connection with a pair of grass fires that police believe were deliberately set in the city’s southwest over the last week.
The most recent grass fire happened Wednesday in the area of 111 Street and Anthony Henday Drive.
Witnesses told police three male suspects on bikes started a fire in a grassy area in the nearby Blackmud Creek. Edmonton fire crews arrived on scene and quickly put out the blaze.
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Officers arrested two teenage boys at the scene. It’s believed they were also involved with an arson that occurred near the Century Park LRT Station on Tuesday.
Witnesses told police two males set fire to a grassy area behind the transit station. Citizens in the area put out the fire.
The teens, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have been charged with two counts each of arson and possession of incendiary devices.
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Edmonton police wanted to emphasize how seriously they take situations like this, particularly when the province is so dry.
“We’ve all just witnessed the incredible devastation and threat to life that a fire can cause given the extremely dry conditions out there right now,” Insp. Erik Johnson with the Edmonton Police Service said. “Surely, no one should need to be reminded after seeing those frightening images from Fort McMurray last week.
“I want to be clear. Anyone caught endangering the lives of our city’s residents with this type of irresponsible behaviour will be prosecuted to the maximum allowed under the law.”
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A third suspect turned himself in to police later Wednesday evening following the fire near the Henday, but police said the youth was not involved in the fire and was not charged.
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