Man arrested for allegedly starting fire on hillside

WEST KELOWNA — A man is facing potential charges after residents reported seeing him start a fire in West Kelowna.

On Saturday, July 10, just after 8:30 p.m. RCMP were called to the 3000-block of Webber Road where neighbours had just extinguished a fire on the hillside. Witnesses told police that they had observed a man light the fire, and identified him and his vehicle to officers.

A 36-year-old West Kelowna man was taken into custody and later released on conditions for a future court date.

The investigation is ongoing and the full file will be submitted to the BC Prosecution Service for a review and charge assessment.

“This incident was extremely dangerous, and we commend the members of the neighbourhood for doing an excellent job in extinguishing the fire so quickly and helping progress the investigation,” S/Sgt. Duncan Dixon of the West Kelowna RCMP said. “The conditions in this area are extremely dry and without their quick actions, this could potentially have grown into a substantial fire.”

The West Kelowna RCMP is urging anyone with information regarding this matter who haven’t yet spoken to police to call 250-768-2880.