Editor's note: Updated to include recent court information.
A man has been charged in relation to two hotel fires that occurred in Grand Forks early on March 7.
According to Grand Forks RCMP’s Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison, 47-year-old Grand Forks resident Christopher James Cusack has been charged with two counts of arson, which endangered human life, in relation to the Wednesday morning fires at the Grand Forks Hotel and Winnipeg Hotel.
“He was remanded to appear in Rossland court on March 9,” Harrison said, adding that he estimated that Cusack would enter a plea on Wednesday.
The plea was not known as of press time but Harrison did say that the RCMP had a strong case, adding he couldn’t give any other details as it is before the courts.
Mandy Nordahn, owner of the Grand Forks Hotel, said that Cusack was known to her.
“He’s just strange,” Nordahn said when asked about what type of person Cusack is.
Evelyn Rougeau, owner of the Winnipeg Hotel, could not be reached for comment.
The fire to the Grand Forks Hotel completely destroyed the over 100-year-old building and the fire at the Winnipeg Hotel was limited to the rear of the building with smoke damage throughout.
Grand Forks Fire Rescue Acting Fire Chief Dale Heriot said he released the Winnipeg Hotel back to Rougeau on Friday.
There were no injuries or casualties reported and there were approximately 15 people that were displaced due to the fires.
Between 30 and 35 volunteer firefighters from Christina Lake and Grand Forks battled the blazes, Heriot said.