THUNDER BAY - A 21-year-old man responsible for starting two separate fires in the city earlier this year was sentenced to two years less a day in a Thunder Bay Zoom courtroom on Monday.
Trey Carlson, 21, entered pleas to one count of arson: disregard for human life, one count of arson to damage property and failing to comply with a release order to not possess any incendiary materials.
“Irrational and impulsive I think are the best words to describe the two... acts in question,” Defence lawyer David Mackenzie said at Carlson’s sentencing hearing on Monday, Dec. 7.
The court heard Carlson was responsible for lighting two fires: one in January and one in August.
The first fire took place on Jan. 31 in the area of McLaughlin Street and Connolly Street. Police and fire crews attended and noticed a fire between the two locations. Firefighters were able to remove three individuals that were trapped inside the McLaughlin Street residence from the second floor with a ladder.
The three individuals, a woman and her two children ages three and eight, were all treated by emergency medical personnel for minor smoke inhalation. Four other individuals who were on the main floor were able to evacuate from the residence upon noticing the fire, court heard.
Fires crews were able to extinguish the fires at both residences. Both properties were left with significant damage, crown counsel said.
Days after the incident, Carlson attended the Thunder Bay police station and told police he was turning himself in and he was the one who started the fire after he went out drinking and on his way home started the fire by lighting garbage and cardboard with a lighter before walking home.
Another property was damaged on Aug. 17. Police and emergency crews were dispatched to a bush area near the intersection of Island and Baffin drive after receiving a report of an active fire suspected to be arson.
When police arrived they saw a motor home engulfed in flames and a tent beside it also on fire. The owners were both present and sitting on the grass. An investigation revealed that Carlson also had set this fire and at the time of the incident he was under court orders to not possess any materials that could start a fire.
Carlson’s lawyer told the court his client has acknowledged his actions and accepts responsibility for the fires. A medical report for Carlson was entered as an exhibit during his sentencing hearing. As well as a custodial sentence, defence recommended rehabilitation and counselling for Carlson while he is in custody.
Carlson’s father spoke briefly during the sentencing hearing to tell the court of his son’s ongoing behavioural issues he has had all his life and his need for counselling to overcome those issues.
Mackenzie stated there was no planning or malice behind either of the fires and were both done out of impulsivity.
The Crown agreed with Carlson's need for rehabilitation but acknowledged the public also needs protection from his random wishes to start fires.
Judge Gary Kunnas sentenced Carlson to two years less a day at a provincial institution. Following his custodial sentence, he will be placed on probation for three years, according to court documents. He also received a 10-year weapons prohibition.
Part of his probation conditions will require him not to possess any lighters, matches or incendiary devices or be within 100 feet of any of the properties he set fire to.
He will also be required to participate or attend any rehabilitative or counselling programs recommended by his probation officer.
