An 18-year-old Pukatawagan man is facing arson charges after recently being arrested by The Pas RCMP in connection to a local restaurant fire.

On August 27, 2017, just after 9am, The Pas RCMP were dispatched to a structural fire at a location on Fischer Avenue in The Pas, Manitoba. Upon arrival, police noted that The New Hawaiian Restaurant was fully engulfed in flames. Police say that the restaurant is not in operation and of the two apartment suites above the restaurant, only one was occupied.

Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire. The building sustained extensive damage, fortunately there were no injuries reported as a result.

RCMP launched an investigation and it was determined, with the assistance of the Office of the Fire Commissioner, that the fire was deliberately set. As a result of investigation, 18-year-old Skywalker Castel from Pukatawagan has been charged with two counts of arson and mischief over $5,000. Castel has been released pending a court date.