Comox Valley RCMP arrested a 40-year-old Cumberland man in connection with what they call a deliberate explosion that caused a forest fire.
Police arrested Yves Joseph Leduc on Tuesday, the Comox Valley RCMP said late Wednesday afternoon. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of 46-year-old Gary Andrew Brammer for the same charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The fire May 18 consumed over two hectares of TimberWest Forest Company land near the Trent River mainline logging road and resource road in Cumberland, RCMP added.
Damage is estimated at $30,000 and the firefighting costs are at $60,000. No one was injured in the fire or the explosion.
Many agencies have combined their efforts to determine a cause for this destruction, continued Const. Nicole Hall of the Comox Valley RCMP.
The Comox Valley RCMP’s General Investigation Section has been working with the Forestry Service’s Enforcement section, the Natural Resources of Canada Explosive Regulations Division, the Comox Valley RCMP’s Forensic section, the Island District’s Integrated Technological Crime unit and Vancouver’s Explosive Disposal unit.
Leduc was released by the courts on various conditions and is due in Courtenay provincial court July 26.
He faces charges arson damage to property, mischief to property over $5,000 and possession of an explosive substance.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321. To help yet remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.bccrimestoppers.com.
