Richard Froese
South Peace News
Police have made some progress as they investigate fires that damaged two downtown High Prairie businesses and two vehicles in the early morning hours of Aug. 15.

“We are following up on some leads, and it’s still unfolding,” High Prairie RCMP Acting Cpl. Brendan Flewilling says.

He says police had one person of interest last week.

“We have suspicions it’s arson, so we have to turn it over to the Fire Commissioner’s Office and the RCMP,” Town of High Prairie fire chief Ken Melnyk says.
“The fire’s definitely started in the vehicles”

Emergency services were called to fires at two businesses on 49 Street.

High Prairie Volunteer Fire Department initially responded to a fire at the Collett Building shortly after 3 a.m., then to the Pin Cushion Boutique about 20 minutes later.

A 2010 Dodge truck was destroyed at the first scene while fire gutted another vehicle parked in a l ane at the rear of the second business, both suffered building damage.

Tenants in apartments above the Pin Cushion Boutique were evacuated.

“Both fires are suspicious, considering they were close in proximity and time,” Flewilling says.
“We’ve canvassed some businesses and we have video surveillance evidence assisting in the investigation.”

Video shows a figure of a person between the two locations, he says.

“It was the only person in the area at the time of the incident,” Flewelling says.

Anyone with information on how the fires started is requested to phone High Prairie RCMP at (780) 523-3370 or CrimeStoppers at (1-800) 222-TIPS (8477).