A 12-year-old male youth has been arrested in relation to a fire at the Shamattawa First Nation Band Office.
On September 22, 2016, just after 4pm, Shamattawa RCMP responded to a fire at the Shamattawa First Nation Band Office. When officers arrived on scene, the building housing the Northern Store and the Band Office were on fire. Police and fire crews worked to extinguish the flames.
Police say that the fire burned through the night and that the damage to the building was extensive.
Investigation revealed that six youths were involved with setting the fire. Five of the youths are under 12 years of age and cannot be charged, as the Youth Criminal Justice Act establishes the age of criminal responsibility at 12-years-old. One youth, a 12-year-old male, was arrested and released on a Promise to Appear.
RCMP report that the Office of the Fire Commissioner is attending the community to assist with the ongoing investigation.
