Teen charged after 4 overnight fires damage 3 homes in Brandon

A teenager has been charged in connection with four separate fires that damaged three homes in Brandon, Man., early Friday.

Police said the first was reported at 3:42 a.m. and the last at 4:15 a.m. and were all started on residential properties within a 10-block radius.

The fires were started in sheds, trees, a dumpster and on a porch, according to police.

Brandon Fire and Emergency Services Deputy Chief Jason Potter said two of those fires engulfed homes. Firefighters were able to contain a third fire to the deck of another home, he said.

"Whoever did do this put a lot of people, including the firefighters, in a very dangerous position," he told CBC's Radio Noon on Friday. "It could have been extremely tragic." 

Multiple households were evacuated as a precaution and no one was injured, police said. 

Potter said 10 people were in one of the homes and that 14 firefighters battled the fires.

Potter said four fires occurring within 40 minutes of each other is rare for the city's fire service.

"I've been working for 20 years and can't remember the last time this happened."

A 17-year-old male riding a bicycle was arrested near one of the fire scenes. He was charged with arson with disregard for human life, arson causing damage to property, and possession of incendiary material.

He is scheduled to appear in court on July 2, police said.

Police aren't looking for any other suspects, but said the investigation is ongoing.

No damage estimate has been released. 

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