Third youth arrested in connection with Saddle Lake High School fire
Fire set at Kihew Asiniy High School on June 10
Despite the fire at the Saddle Lake High School, the grad ceremony will go ahead - photo courtesy CBC TV
Staff and students were getting ready for the 2012 graduation ceremony at the Kihew Asiniy High School in Saddle Lake. All their efforts went up in smoke when three youths allegedly used the decorations to set fire to the gym, causing over $200,000 in damages to the building.
On Monday, June 11, two youths were arrested and facing charges, and yesterday a third youth was arrested in connection with a fire. All three are facing multiple charges in connection with the blaze and vandalism at the school.
Police believe during the early morning hours of June 10, the three suspects broke into the school and vandalized the building with baseball bats and fire extinguishers before setting fire to the school gymnasium.
The sprinkler system was activated, but not before the building sustained well over $200,000 in damages. The school suffered extensive smoke and water damage as a result of the fire.
St. Paul RCMP Constable John Spaans says police also believe that the three are also responsible for a break-in and vandalism at the Saddle Lake Band Office, approximately half an hour before the fire at the school. A number of band counsel member’s offices were extensively damaged.
All three suspects in the fire and vandalism are facing charges of arson, break and enter and mischief over $5,000. Their names cannot be released because of their ages.
It is not known if the school will be able to resume regular classes before the year is out.
The grad ceremony, however, will go on. Students are dressing up the gymnasium at Saddle Lake Elementary School in preparation for their big day. Congratulations to all the grads!
Category: Alberta
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