Wednesday, June 17, 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

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy: An Investment of $2.2 Million in British Columbia

While in Victoria, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages, accompanied by the Honourable Rob Fleming, British Columbia’s Minister of Education, confirmed financial support 

Teacher Recruitment and Retention Strategy: An Investment of $2.2 Million in British Columbia

Legislation Introduced To Transform ICBC, Deliver Lower Rates

Legislation has been introduced to transform ICBC, deliver lower auto-insurance rates and dramatically improve care benefits, making ICBC more accountable to British Columbians.    

Legislation Introduced To Transform ICBC, Deliver Lower Rates

Railway Crossing Advisory Signs To Help Reduce Traffic Congestion

Six new digital railway crossing signs are now live, helping reduce travel delays for drivers in the City of Langley, Township of Langley and Surrey.

Railway Crossing Advisory Signs To Help Reduce Traffic Congestion

Quick Actions Of Frontline Officers Result In Arrest Of Male Breaking Into Vehicles

Officers located a suspect sitting inside a vehicle he had allegedly just broken into. In addition, several other vehicles in the parkade were found with smashed-out windows.    

Quick Actions Of Frontline Officers Result In Arrest Of Male Breaking Into Vehicles

City of Vancouver Releases 2019 Statement Of Financial Information

In accordance with the Financial Information Act, the City of Vancouver has prepared its annual Statement of Financial Information (SOFI) Report which can be viewed online.

City of Vancouver Releases 2019 Statement Of Financial Information

Kelowna RCMP Seize Cash And Alleged Illicit Drugs In Warrants

Kelowna RCMP Seize Cash And Alleged Illicit Drugs In Warrants
These warrants were related to an active criminal investigation into suspected drug trafficking in the area.    

Kelowna RCMP Seize Cash And Alleged Illicit Drugs In Warrants