A 37-year-old Selkirk woman is facing arson and animal cruelty charges after allegedly setting her own home ablaze on Saturday night.
Selkirk RCMP responded to a call of a house fire on McLean Avenue at approximately 9:15 p.m. on February 22, 2025. Upon arrival, officers found the residence fully engulfed in flames, with the Selkirk Fire Department and emergency personnel already on the scene.
The homeowner, identified as Leah Whitney-Brown, was outside the residence and unharmed by the fire itself. However, she was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure. Inside the home at the time of the fire were Whitney-Brown’s two dogs and three cats.
Following an initial investigation, RCMP determined that Whitney-Brown had allegedly intentionally set the fire. After being released from the hospital, she was arrested and charged with Arson, Injure or Endanger Other Animals, and Causing Animals Unnecessary Suffering.
Whitney-Brown has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court this week.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner and Selkirk RCMP are continuing their investigation into the incident.
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