WEBEQUIE FIRST NATION — Two 13-year-old youths have been charged following a fire that caused an estimated $500,000 in damages to the community airport terminal over the weekend.
On Saturday evening, April 26, members of the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) from the Webequie First Nation detachment responded to reports of a structural fire in progress at the community’s airport.
Upon arrival, officers confirmed that the terminal building was ablaze. Community firefighters were quickly dispatched and worked to control the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby structures. Fire crews brought the situation under control before 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 27. However, the terminal sustained significant damage.
Investigation and Arrests
The Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Criminal Investigations Unit attended the scene and launched an investigation. As a result, two youth suspects were quickly identified.
One suspect was arrested without incident at a residential address within Webequie during the afternoon of Sunday, April 27. The second suspect voluntarily surrendered to police that same afternoon.
Both youths, aged 13 and residents of Webequie First Nation, are facing the following charges:
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Arson – Damage to Property
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Mischief Over $5,000 (two counts)
In accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the identities of the accused are not being released.
Both youths appeared in bail court on Monday, April 28, and have been remanded into custody pending future court dates.
