Mayerthorpe arsonist turns out to be a local Junior Firefighter

Last week we reported about a fire in Mayerthorpe that caused a mass evacuation and the destruction of a trestle bridge.

At the time the fire was suspected to be an act of arson and was under investigation.

The RCMP have now arrested one person who they say is responsible for the fire.

Lawson Michael Schalm, a 19 year old junior firefighter, has been arrested and is facing 18 accounts of arson.

Schalm is not only the son of former Mayerthorpe mayor Albert Schalm, but he also stood alongside the firefighters that battled the blaze.

the other firefighters and residents of Mayerthorpe are just as surprised as the rest of us that a junior firefighters was the arsonist.

Schalm’s first court appearance will be this Wednesday.

-The Pepper & Dylan Show