Pond Inlet man charged with arson as fire starts while RCMP investigate separate incident

A Pond Inlet man who’s accused of starting a house fire while police were at the scene is facing a charge of arson.

RCMP in the community say they responded to a report of a disturbance at a residence during the early morning hours of July 1. They determined that an occupant had been assaulted and believed the suspect was still inside the home.

Then a loud noise occurred and the suspect was seen leaving the residence as flames and thick smoke started consuming the interior of the home.

Volunteer firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the blaze, according to the RCMP.

“Due to the quick actions of the Pond Inlet Fire Department and police, the residence was kept from being destroyed and the alleged suspect was located and arrested,” RCMP Cpl. Jamie Savikataaq stated in a Monday news release.

A 25-year-old Pond Inlet man, whose name was not released to the public, has been charged with arson and other Criminal Code offences in connection with the incident.

He was released from custody and is scheduled to make his first appearance on July 27.