A woman facing two counts of arson in relation to a townhouse complex fire in Penticton last month pleaded guilty to one charge on Tues. morning.
With a neutral expression on her face throughout the duration of the hearing, the woman, who appeared in court via video link, entered a guilty plea to a charge of causing damage by fire to the townhouse complex.
WATCH BELOW: Penticton townhouse fire is an arson
The fire broke out around 8 p.m. on Thurs. Oct. 13. at Cascade Gardens townhouses on Penticton Avenue.
About 60 members of the Penticton Fire Department, many working through the night, tried to contain the fire.
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The flames spread from one unit to three others and while about a dozen people safely evacuated their homes, officials said a cat and three birds perished in the fire.
One of the residents who had his home destroyed in the fire, Antonio Cangiano, told Global News he and his wife have found temporary housing and are trying to stay positive about their future.
“We stayed with my in-laws for a few weeks and recently moved into a temporary rental in Kaleden for the winter months,” Cangiano said in an email statement.
“Despite losing almost everything and recently finding the remains of our cat, we are somewhat optimistic about the future. In life, it’s really not about what happens but how you react to it, so things are looking up, despite the circumstances.”
At Tuesday morning’s hearing, the woman’s defense lawyer, Norman Yates, asked the judge for a pre-sentence report as well as psychological and psychiatric assessments.
The woman’s next appearance is scheduled for Jan. 4, 2017.
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