Damage left by fire started Saturday morning by young boy - photo by Ross Lavigne

By Hayley Ferguson

Crescent Heights Fire

Fire department trying to help young boy who started fire

Aug 12, 2019 | 5:20 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat Police have confirmed that an early morning fire in Crescent Heights was started by a young boy under the age of 12.

Emergency crews responded to the Northlands Multi-Dwelling complex around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday and were able to contain it quickly.

Fire marshal Scott Hanelt says the fire originated with the patio furniture and was kept to the exterior of the unit.

In a statement, police said that they are unable to charge the boy.

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“Under the Criminal Code of Canada, criminal charges cannot be laid on a person under this age threshold (Arson).”

The fire department is making sure he gets the help he needs though with their Juvenile Fire-Setter program.

The program, which was designed about seven years ago, evaluates children who start fires or show concerning behaviour around it.

“We’ve always had an intervention program since I’ve been in the bureau and that’s coming on 20 years. Years ago when I first started it was more old school.” Hanelt said.

Hanelt says the fire-setters program was designed around one created by the National Fire Protection Agency.

“We took that and made it Medicine Hat’s.” He said.

The program is a points based evaluation where both the children and family are interviewed.

“And it’s not about blame, it’s not about anything. It’s about finding what’s the best intervention for the child and then even for the parents.” Explained Hanelt.

From there Hanelt says they can focus on education and bringing in mental health experts.

Parents who are concerned with their child’s fire behaviour can request an appointment by contacting the department at 403-529-8282.

The department offers several other fire education programs like station tours, home fire safety checks, and fire safety presentations at schools or to other groups.