Police charge female with arson

Lethbridge Police have charged a 44-year-old woman with arson in connection with a grass fire that razed a southside coulee. 

On January 13, at approximately 12:45 p.m., police and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of a fire in the coulees between the 1200 and 1600 blocks of Scenic Drive South near Mountain View Cemetery. Crews from five stations responded and extinguished the flames. A number of homes and buildings in the Scenic Heights apartment complex were evacuated as a precaution, but no one was injured. 

Police on scene were alerted to a suspicious female running from the fire. She was quickly located near the cemetery fence line and taken into custody without incident. Investigation determined witnesses had observed a lone female near the fire who proceeded to flee as it spread rapidly due to the wind. Personal property belonging to the subject was seized nearby along with a lighter. The woman was subsequently charged with arson. 

There was no damage to gravestones in the cemetery and firefighters remained on scene for several hours after the fire to ensure there were no flare-ups. 

Audrey Rae Small Legs, 44, of Lethbridge, is charged with three counts of arson – disregard for human life and failing to comply with the conditions of a probation order. Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Small Legs was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court January 16.