(FORT HOPE, ON) – Police have arrested and charged four youths in connection with a recent school fire in Eabametoong First Nation
Members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service received a call for service about a structural fire in the community just after 7:10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25. When officers arrived on scene they found the school to be engulfed in flames. Community firefighters continued efforts to extinguish the fire.
Police determined the nature of the fire was consistent with arson. As a result of continued investigation, four suspects were identified, located and taken into custody.
A 13-year-old female, 13-year-old male, 14-year-old male, and a 17-year-old male are all charged with:
Arson – Disregard for Human Life
Arson – Damage to Property
Mischief Over $5,000
Possession of Incendiary Material
The 17-year-old accused is also charged with Possession of Break In Instruments, and Assault Peace Officer.
The youths have been remanded into custody with future court appearances scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 30. The identifies of all accused are being withheld in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The investigation of the fire remains ongoing.