(UPDATE: July 12 @ 9:30 am): A man has been arrested and faces potential charges after a report of arson in West Kelowna on the weekend.
Mounties said they were called to the 3000 block of Webber Road at about 8:30 pm.
Residents told them they had just extinguished a fire on the hillside.
A man was seen lighting the fire, residents said.
A video was later posted to Facebook purporting to show a man apparently lighting a fire.
At about 9:30 pm on Saturday, a 36-year-old man from West Kelowna was arrested.
He was later released.
An investigation is ongoing, police said, with the BC Prosecution Service set to consider charges.
“This incident was extremely dangerous, and we commend the members of neighbourhood for doing an excellent job in extinguishing the fire so quickly and helping progress the investigation,” said S/Sgt. Duncan Dixon.
“The conditions in this area are extremely dry and without their quick actions, this could potentially have grown into a substantial fire.”
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is urged to call the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.
(Original story: July 11 @ 1 pm): There was serious concern in West Kelowna on Saturday when a group of neighbours noticed a suspicious man walking in a forest in the Glenrosa area.
According to posts in Kelowna Alert, the man attempted to ignite some trees with a homemade torch.
If it weren't for quick action by the residents with fire extinguishers, the incident could have ended much worse.
The man was reportedly arrested a short time later. It is unknown why he was walking the area holding a torch.
NowMedia is looking to gather more information from West Kelowna Fire Rescue.
For the video, click here.
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