TThe future detachment for the Prince George RCMP is unscathed after an attempt at arson was halted before much damage was done at a downtown construction site early Saturday morning.
But it wasn't for lack of trying. The man was trying to spark up a portable office at the work site at the corner of Victoria Street and Fifth Avenue.
"On search of the construction site, investigators found that a significant amount of accelerant had been poured on, under and around the site office, a second building and heavy equipment in the compound," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass.
A witness spotted the clumsy firestarter in the act and called police to the site of the force's future
headquarters.
Police also spotted the suspect, who had climbed a fence to get inside the construction zone. The suspect ran away from RCMP members as they approached and a foot chase took place, but the man was apprehended a short distance away.
The suspect is a 23-year-old resident of Bear Lake about 70
kilometres north of the city.
"He was not mad at the police," Douglass said, but would not disclose any of the reasons for the man's arson actions. "Alcohol was a factor."
Several incidents of arson or suspicious fire have occupied police and fire department resources during the past few months. However the police do not consider this incident to be among the apparent spree.
"We are confident that this incident is unrelated to other fire investigations in the community," said Douglass.
Very little damage was done and no one was injured, said Douglass, thanks in part to the person who called it in.
"The RCMP would like to thank the observant witness that took the time to call police," said Douglass.
He faces charges of break and enter, obstruction of justice and
mischief.
