Kamloops RCMP say a local man is facing charges after five fires were started on or near Victoria Street early on Monday morning.

Spokesperson Const. Crystal Evelyn tells NL News officers were called to a mischief report in the 200-block of Victoria Street involving an aggressive man and a broken window.

She says while officers were responding to that call, they spotted smoke coming from a dumpster in the 100-block of Victoria Street.

“Police contacted Kamloops Fire and Rescue and after that four more fires were discovered,” she said. “Three more were in dumpsters along Victoria Street and a grass fire was in front of a business on 5th Avenue and St. Paul Street.”

“I think one of the officers also was able to put one of the dumpster fires out or at least address it with his fire extinguisher. It was good, quick action to prevent these fires from getting any worse.”

Blake Mathew Hall, 41, is charged with five counts of arson damaging property and one count each of mischief and uttering threats. Evelyn says he was arrested in a nearby alley and remanded into custody with a court appearance scheduled for Sept. 16.

Anyone with information or surveillance related to this investigation is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP and reference file 2021-31135.

“If you have a business in that area and captured anything, maybe a little bit earlier or a little bit after 6 a.m., in that time frame, if you don’t mind just having a look at it and seeing if it did capture anything related, please contact us,” Evelyn said.