A fire at Genesis Place in January caused $29,000 in damages and now Airdrie RCMP have charged a person with setting that fire.  

Constable Dan Martin says on March 16th, a 14-year-old young offender was arrested and charged with arson by the RCMP.  Because of his age, the youth can't be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Back on January 23rd, the Airdrie Fire Department and Airdrie RCMP were dispatched to the rec facility on East Lake Boulevard to reports of a fire in progress.  Airdrie Fire quickly extinguished the blaze but not before it caused an estimated $29,000 in damage.

The investigation revealed that the fire had been deliberately started in a garbage/recycling bin located in the northeast corner of Genesis Place.

Martin explains how police solved the case by using a combination of old-fashioned police work and high tech video surveillance.  "Through interviews and obtaining some statements and Genesis Place has a really good, high quality, video surveillance system, they were able to identify the suspect pretty quickly."

Martin is pleased that police were able to lay charges as a recreation facility is an important part of the fabric of the community.  "Obviously the requirement for a recreation facility in Airdrie is quite important and it kind of impacts everybody so we're glad we were able to lay charges.

Martin says he doesn't anticipate any further charges being laid.

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