NORTH BATTLEFORD — Two people have been charged in the suspicious Jan. 3 fire at an apartment building on the 1400 block of 102nd Street in North Battleford.
RCMP say that as a result of investigation, North Battleford RCMP’s Municipal General Investigation Section has laid charges and arrested two individuals in relation to the fire, which was confirmed to be suspicious in nature.
Keeanu Crookedneck, 22, of North Battleford is charged with:
- 1 count, arson
- 1 count, arson with disregard for human life
Keeanu Crookedneck's charges came up in North Battleford Provincial Court on Jan. 7. Those matters have been adjourned to Jan. 17.
Naomi Jean Yellowtail, 42, of North Battleford is charged with:
- 1 count, arson with disregard for human life
- 1 count, breach of undertaking
Naomi Jean Yellowtail was scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on Jan. 6. Her case has been adjourned to Jan. 10 for a show cause hearing.
“I would like to thank our investigators, as well as the North Battleford Fire Service and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, for quickly and thoroughly working through this investigation, enabling us to lay charges and arrest these individuals,” says S/Sgt. Jason Teniuk, acting commander of the North Battleford RCMP. “I also want to thank all the emergency personnel who worked bravely, calmly and diligently at a dangerous scene to ensure all residents of this apartment complex were able to escape.”
As noted by the City of North Battleford yesterday, the building’s residents were successfully evacuated. Seventeen residents and six emergency responders were transported to hospital and have since been released. The Canadian Red Cross is providing emergency support services for those displaced by the fire.
