Wednesday, May 27, 2026
ADVT 
National

Additional charges laid after Masonic hall fires

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Apr, 2021 11:58 PM
  • Additional charges laid after Masonic hall fires

Police say five more charges have been approved against a man accused of setting fire to three Masonic halls in Metro Vancouver last week.

Police say 42-year-old Benjamin Kohlman was charged Tuesday with two counts of arson and three counts of break and enter to commit arson after fires in Vancouver and North Vancouver.

Police arrested Kohlman in nearby Burnaby within a few hours of the fires.

He was charged the following day with one count of arson in relation to the fire in Vancouver, as well as one count of assaulting a police officer.

All three fires were allegedly set in the span of an hour last Tuesday.

The first call came in at around 6:45 a.m. about a fire at the Lynn Valley Lodge in North Vancouver, while a second fire reported minutes later severely damaged a Masonic centre located four kilometres away.

Fire officials said the third fire at a Masonic hall in east Vancouver was reported around 7:30 a.m. and caused little damage.

MORE National ARTICLES

Innovation minister defends 'superclusters'

Innovation minister defends 'superclusters'
The B.C.-based Digital Technology supercluster invested recently in a machine-learning chest X-ray tool that helps doctors identify lung abnormalities.

Innovation minister defends 'superclusters'

Meng lawyer accuses RCMP officer of lying

Meng lawyer accuses RCMP officer of lying
Yep is the first in a series of witnesses called to testify at the request of Meng's defence team, which is gathering evidence for arguments it will make next year that she was subjected to an abuse of process.

Meng lawyer accuses RCMP officer of lying

$16 Million in Federal Funding for Affordable Housing Allocated to Surrey

$16 Million in Federal Funding for Affordable Housing Allocated to Surrey
The injection of money is a result of the federal government’s Rapid Housing Initiative and will create a minimum of 33 units of new permanent affordable housing in Surrey.

$16 Million in Federal Funding for Affordable Housing Allocated to Surrey

Vancouver Police shares message on how to celebrate a fun and safe COVID19 Halloween

Vancouver Police shares message on how to celebrate a fun and safe COVID19 Halloween
Halloween is all about being spooky and having fun but here is a quick video from the VPD that highlights on how to be safe during this tricky COVID19 Halloween.

Vancouver Police shares message on how to celebrate a fun and safe COVID19 Halloween

Speedy trip leads to seizure of “magic mushrooms" by Surrey RCMP

Speedy trip leads to seizure of “magic mushrooms
As the investigation unfolded, officers observed items consistent with illicit drug possession and arrested the driver.

Speedy trip leads to seizure of “magic mushrooms" by Surrey RCMP

Canadians sue Facebook over use of personal info

Canadians sue Facebook over use of personal info
It also seeks $1,000 for each of the approximately 622,000 Canadians whose information was shared with others through a digital app.

Canadians sue Facebook over use of personal info