Arson suspect in custody after bushes lit on fire in Kelowna

A 32-year old Kelowna man was arrested and remains in custody after an attempted arson last night.

Just after 9:30 p.m. yesterday, Aug. 16, Kelowna RCMP responded to a call about a man trying to light bushes on fire in a commercial area in the 1900 block of Kane Road in the Glenmore neighbourhood.

Information from a witness helped the police find and arrest the suspect.

“Due to the actions of the concerned citizen who called 911, our officers were able to quickly locate and arrest the man,” Const. Solana Paré, media relations officer for the Kelowna RCMP, said in a news release. “Thankfully due to the rain, the fire did not ignite and there was no property damage as a result of this reckless act.”

The man is still in custody at this time, pending charges.

This is in contrast to a similar arson attempt in West Kelowna in July where the suspect was arrested and released.

READ MORE: Suspected wildfire arsonist's release from custody last straw for Okanagan MLA

Stephen Leader, 36, was charged with arson in relation to that incident on July 22 and remains in custody.

READ MORE: Accused West Kelowna wildfire arsonist will stay behind bars

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