From Ponoka RCMP:

Following a grass fire on May 2, which Ponoka RCMP attended with the Ponoka County Fire Department, RCMP will be laying arson charges.

At 10:34 p.m., the Ponoka RCMP responded to a suspicious grass fire in town.  Investigation by both the RCMP and the Ponoka County Fire Department led to the conclusion that the grass fire was as a result of human action.  A suspect was identified and a 60-year-old resident of Ponoka was arrested and will be charged with one count of arson.

Further information was obtained which linked this male to a suspicious fire which was reported on October 12, 2017.  This fire in October led to a garage being burned and was situated in close proximity to the May 2 fire.  The male will also be charged with one count of arson in relation to that fire.

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“We’re very fortunate there was no one injured in either of these fires” says Sergeant Chris Smiley of the Ponoka RCMP Detachment.  “As we’ve seen in this province, at this time of year a grass fire can lead to a terrifying situation.  We’re happy with the response of the Ponoka Fire Department, and the community assistance that helped us to solve this investigation.”

The accused has been released and is scheduled to attend the Provincial Court of Alberta in Ponoka on June 15, 2018.

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