Two local women have been charged with arson after a Quilchena Avenue house fire on Jan. 11.
Merritt RCMP members received a call about the fire around 8:20 p.m. on Saturday. None of the occupants of the house were injured in the blaze, and it was extinguished with minimal damage to the home, RCMP report.
One of the residents of the home reported he received threatening text messages from an acquaintance earlier in the evening, which stated that she would light his mother’s house on fire after a disagreement.
Less than an hour later, his neighbours reported the home’s front entrance on fire.
Several neighbours reported they witnessed two women lighting the fire and a vehicle leaving the scene. The neighbours were able to provide descriptions of the suspects.
RCMP located the suspects at their Merritt residence and both were arrested without incident.
Jalissa Weymouth and Patricia Clarke, both 22, were arrested and charged with arson. Clarke is also charged with uttering threats.
None of the allegations against the women have been proven in court.
Both women appeared before a judge on Jan. 13 and were released on an undertaking with conditions. They are scheduled to re-appear in court on Feb. 4 and enter a plea.
The file is still under investigation.
