The fire department in Macklin, Saskatchewan has confirmed a 25-year-old man arrested in connection with a series of rural hay bale arson attacks was one of its firefighters.
The Saskatchewan RCMP says the local detachment received at least 15 reports of deliberately set hay bale and grass fires over the past month, with the first incident reported on July 31 in a field near Macklin.
RCMP and the Macklin fire department launched an investigation, analyzing evidence and surveillance footage, and the fire department’s board even offered a $21,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible.
“These fires resulted in property loss and greatly impacted our local farmers,” said Cpl. Christopher Neufeld of Unity RCMP.
After a month of investigation, police arrested Logan Sieben on Monday. He faces charges of arson causing mischief, arson with intent to defraud, and theft under $5,000.