Winnipeg police arrested a man, who started a fire by putting his shoes inside an oven.
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, firefighters and police were dispatched to a home in the 500 block of the city’s McDermot Avenue last Wednesday.
Officers learned that the man was on meth and exhibiting paranoid behaviour. Patrol and tactical support officers went to the location after being told the person inside might be armed. Prior to the arrival of authorities, other residents heard a loud bang, which alerted them to the fire.
The suspect, who was observed to be holding a knife, stabbed another tenant after a brief confrontation. Police say an adult female was also struck with an unknown object. Tenants attempted to put out the fire before the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service arrived to the scene to extinguish the remaining flames.
The incident caused extensive fire, smoke and water damage to the building. A 48-year-old man was arrested, taken to a nearby hospital and treated. He was later cleared for medical release.
He has been charged with arson with disregard for human life, arson causing damage to property and assault with a weapon.