FIRES – Man in custody, charged with four counts of arson

A 22-year-old Kamloops man, William Aaron Lamb, is facing four counts of arson in connection with a series of dumpster fires earlier this week. He appeared in court today (May 19, 2023) and was remanded in custody.

On May 15, 2023, around 10:45 p.m., Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) and RCMP officers attended the alleyway behind the 400-block of Lansdowne Street for a fire in a garbage dumpster. An hour later, more dumpster fires were reported and extinguished in alleyways behind Victoria Street.

“The joint-investigation by Kamloops police and Kamloops Fire Rescue included members of our General Investigation Support Team, Targeted Enforcement Unit, and frontline officers,” said RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelley.

“The rapid response of multiple investigative units and KFR resulted in these fires being quickly extinguished, evidence collected, and a suspect identified and arrested, with charges approved by the B.C. Prosecution Service.”

Lamb was arrested Wednesday evening and held in custody. He appeared in court today.

“We are pleased with the quick progression of this investigation that led to a suspect being taken into custody, and are thankful for the collaborative work done by the teams at Kamloops Fire Rescue and the Kamloops RCMP,” said Ken Uzeloc, KFR Fire Chief.

Investigations into other fires throughout the city are ongoing, said Pelley. Anyone with information related to them is encouraged to contact police as soon as possible.

Lamb remains in custody until his next court appearance, scheduled for May 23, 2023.

Those with information related to the investigations are asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000.