Meadow Lake man charged with arson after church fire

Meadow Lake RCMP have charged Gavin Burnouf, 28, of Meadow Lake, with arson after a fire destroyed a church in the community on October 1.

The charge is an allegation. Nothing has been proven in court.

An RCMP release dated November 5 says police were told of the fire at about 2 a.m. at the church on 2nd Street East. Police determined that no one was injured, but the building was destroyed.

The release does not name the church. CBC News identified it as All Saints Orthodox Church.

The release says the initial investigation suggested the fire was suspicious. Meadow Lake RCMP worked with fire investigators from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and with the North Battleford Serious Crimes Unit. Police arrested Burnouf on November 2 and charged him with one count of arson under Section 434 of the Criminal Code.

The RCMP said its investigation so far does not point to an ideological motive, and the release does not say how the fire was set.

Burnouf appeared in provincial court in Meadow Lake on November 5. The release does not say what happened at that appearance or when he is due back.