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Carnduff RCMP responds to five fires; arson charges laid, public's assistance required

Carnduff RCMP is investigating five fires in the Alida area, ask for public's assistance
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Carnduff RCMP arrested 29-year-old man in relation to five fires in the Alida area.

ALIDA - The Carnduff RCMP is asking residents and business owners in Alida to check their home and commercial video surveillance to determine if they can assist with an ongoing investigation.

On March 16 at about 8:45 p.m., the Carnduff RCMP responded to a report of a camper trailer and house fire on the same rural property near Alida. Police officers then received a report of an assault involving two adult men.

Officers responding to the scene identified three additional buildings on fire in near proximity to the first two reported fires.

In total there were five fires, including the camper trailer and residence on the same property near Alida, a vacant residence in Alida, an administrative office and an abandoned rural residence. Alida, Carnduff, Oxbow, Carlyle and Redvers fire departments all responded. All buildings were destroyed. No injuries were reported as a result of the fires.

As a result of continued investigation, 29-year-old Colten Erickson was arrested without incident and is charged with four counts of arson, two counts of breach of probation and one count of assault. All charges are under the Criminal Code. 

The charges have not been proven in court. 

Erickson will appear at the Estevan Provincial Court on March 21.

Investigation into the fires is still ongoing with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency fire investigators.

If you have a home or commercial video surveillance you are able to share with police from March 16, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. that may assist with the ongoing investigation, please contact Carnduff Detachment at 306-482-4400.