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An arrest has been made in the Town of Mayerthorpe and a 19-year-old member of the fire department charged with a series of arson's in the community.
Between April 19 and April 26, 2016 the Mayerthorpe Fire Department responded to 18 separate incidents, all of which were suspicious in nature. Police and the town confirm that Lac Ste. Anne County Fire Services member Lawson Schalm has been arrested in connection to the arson's and is facing 18 charges, including one for the CN Rail Trestle Bridge fire on April 26.
“The members of the Fire Department volunteer tirelessly and all that were available stepped up during this rash of fires and sacrificed their time from family and work to fight these fires on behalf of the community,” said Mayor Kate Partick in a statement.
The department learned of the arrest of one of its members on the evening of April 30 and many are said to be in a state of shock as a result.
“The Fire Department and Town officials will handle this situation with understanding, compassion and the desire and wish that Lawson Schalm receive the help he needs,” said Fire Chief Randy Schroeder in the statement.
More than a dozen organizations came together to battle the massive trestle bridge fire including four fire departments, RCMP, CN Rail, and Alberta Forestry as volunteers and workers risked their lives to battle the blaze.
The community has been working around the clock to put the rail line back in operation following the fire, but an entire new train bridge needs to be erected as a result of the devastating fire.
Schalm has been held in custody since his arrest and will make his first court appearance in Stony Plain Provincial Court on May 4, 2016.
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