Thursday, June 10, 2010

Vernon senior home arsonist convicted

CHBC News, Kelowna June 10, 2010 2:02 PM

A Vernon man has been found guilty of setting a fire that caused $60,000 damage to a retirement home last September.Troy Niehaus, 36, was convicted of arson in Vernon court Wednesday. Police arrested Niehaus following a blaze he set in shrubs outside the Orchard Valley Retirement Home on 34th Street.Residents of the 60 unit building were forced to flee their homes when the flames climbed up the exterior vinyl siding, damaging a kitchen, the main lobby and several apartments. Witnesses aided police in the arrest.“Very quickly, witnesses were able to give us accounts of a person observed in the area and close proximity to fire,” said Sgt. David Evans with the Vernon RCMP. “A couple of witnesses knew the identity of that individual.”Neihaus has a previous criminal record. He’ll be sentenced next week for arson.

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