Macklin Firefighter charged in connection with series of arson fires
Unity RCMP have charged a Macklin firefighter in connection with a string of suspected arsons in west-central Saskatchewan. The accused, 25-year-old Logan Sieben of Macklin, faces multiple charges related to the investigation.
The case began on July 31, 2024, when Unity RCMP responded to a report of a hay bale fire in a field near Macklin and Evesham. The Macklin Fire Department was also on the scene. This fire was part of a series of hay bale and grass fires reported within the Unity/Macklin RCMP jurisdiction between July 28 and August 25, 2024.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN BAST
Following an extensive investigation, which included reviewing surveillance footage, officers arrested Sieben on August 26, 2024. He is charged with:
Arson causing mischief (Section 434, Criminal Code)
Arson with intent to defraud (Section 435(1), Criminal Code)
Theft under $5000 (Section 334, Criminal Code)
"Over the past month, our team has responded to more than 15 reports of deliberately set fires, which have caused significant property damage and affected local farmers," said Cpl. Christopher Neufeld of Unity RCMP. "Thanks to the thorough efforts of our investigators and the cooperative support from the Macklin Fire Department, we have made an arrest and laid charges."
Logan Sieben is scheduled to appear in Unity Provincial Court on November 18, 2024.
To prevent such incidents, Unity/Macklin RCMP advise landowners and farmers to relocate hay bales to monitored areas when possible and to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
In response to the arrest, Macklin Fire Department Chief Justin Bast issued a statement on the department's Facebook page:
"After weeks of collaboration with the RCMP, our worst fears were confirmed with the arrest of a person of interest who was, regrettably, a member of our fire department. We deeply regret this situation and want to assure the public that this individual's actions do not reflect the values or integrity of the Macklin Fire Department. We appreciate the support and understanding of our community during this challenging time."