Police charge male with arson, weapons offences

Lethbridge Police have charged a 32-year-old male with arson in connection with a fire at a northside home over the weekend. 

On September 20, around 8 a.m., police responded to a report that a male, armed with a knife, entered a row house along the 800 block of 20 Street North and was pouring gasoline throughout the property. Upon police arrival, the occupants had exited the residence but the subject did not comply with police direction and refused to leave. Neighbouring units were evacuated as a precaution and police observed smoke coming from the upstairs windows of the unit with the armed male inside. Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services extinguished the fire and the male was taken into custody. 

The male was transported by EMS to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

Kenneth Townsend, 32, of Lethbridge, is charged with four counts of arson to property disregard for human life, one count of arson to property, possession of incendiary material, possession of an offensive weapon dangerous to the public, resisting a peace officer and five counts of failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking, including a prohibition from attending the residence. 

Following a Judicial Interim Release hearing, Townsend was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court September 23.