Brandon Sun - PRINT EDITION
The Brandon Sun has learned that two teenage boys will face arson charges in relation to a Brandon house fire earlier this month.
A family of four managed to escape the devastating 28th Street house fire in the early-morning hours of June 13, although one of their pets was killed.
Police said within days that the fire was arson and was probably linked to a series of shed and yard break ins elsewhere in the neighbourhood that same night, including one where a jerry can was stolen.
As first reported by the Brandon Sun online Friday afternoon, two 15-year-old boys are now in custody after being arrested Thursday night.
It’s alleged that the teens were together during the break-in spree and fire.
One has already been charged with arson with disregard for human life, four counts of break and enter and one count of theft. All charges date from the same night.
This first youth made a brief court appearance Friday afternoon and will remain in custody as he awaits his next court appearance on Tuesday.
He’s closely related to a reputed local leader of the Indian Posse street gang and has ties to the Young Bucks, which is described as the youth wing of the IP.
The second youth also reportedly has ties to the Young Bucks. He was initially arrested earlier this week in connection with break-ins to sheds and garages, a theft from a vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle. All those offences also date from the night of the fire.
This second youth was released on those charges while pending on an August court date, but he was re-arrested on allegations that he breached his release order by having contact with his co-accused.
An arson charge in relation to the 28th Street fire is pending against this teen. He also remains in custody and is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
Sources say that it appears the fire was a random act; it didn’t specifically target the family inside the home.
An official account of how the blaze was set hasn’t emerged but homeowner Sherri Ferguson previously told the Sun that a can of gas, which may have been stolen during one of the break-ins, was found at the scene.
Ferguson said it appeared that one of the family cars, which was parked in the car port, was doused with gasoline and set on fire. The blaze then spread to the home.
» ihitchen@brandonsun.com, with files from Grant Hamilton
Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition June 30, 2012
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The Brandon Sun has learned that two teenage boys will face arson charges in relation to a Brandon house fire earlier this month.
A family of four managed to escape the devastating 28th Street house fire in the early-morning hours of June 13, although one of their pets was killed.
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The Brandon Sun has learned that two teenage boys will face arson charges in relation to a Brandon house fire earlier this month.
A family of four managed to escape the devastating 28th Street house fire in the early-morning hours of June 13, although one of their pets was killed.
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