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Grand Forks arsonist guilty

The man charged with arson in connection with two hotel fires in Grand Forks has been found guilty.

The finding was made May 9 in a Rossland courtroom.

Christopher James Cusack was found guilty of two counts of arson in relation to inhabited property after one hotel was destroyed and another damaged in separate fires early in the morning of March 7, 2012.

The historic Grand Forks Hotel was completely levelled by the fire which was called in at about 3 a.m.

While en route to that fire, RCMP detected fire at the Winnipeg Hotel as well.

All occupants were safely evacuated from both buildings.

Other buildings in the area were also evacuated as a precaution.

Grand Forks firefighters were able to limit fire damage to the rear of the Winnipeg Hotel but were unable to save the Grand Forks Hotel.

Cusack was taken into custody and a jerry can was seized from inside his home.

Witnesses say Cusack had posted a note on a window at the Winnipeg Hotel indicating that he was going to burn the place down after being barred from the establishment.

Cusack is scheduled to appear in court in Rossland June 12 to fix a date for sentencing.



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