Stanley residents left wondering when arsons will stop

The village of Stanley has been plagued by what is thought to be crimes of arson lately.

Many locals recall when Halloween night consisted of the odd tire fire on the road, but admit in recent years “fire bugs” have become more brazen and taken to burning down camps, as well as abandoned houses.

Two houses were completely destroyed on Halloween weekend. In addition, suspected arsonists made several attempts to burn down an abandoned building on Irishtown Road, started a dumpster fire at the school, and lit two tire fires, all within the village limits.

It is unknown if all instances are related to the same individual(s).

Stewart Smith, volunteer fire fighter at the Stanley Fire Department says Sunday, November 7th at around 12 am, the fire department was dispatched to an abandoned house on Irishtown Road in Stanley. The same house, which had been lit on fire, and put out two times on Halloween.

Though the house was completely destroyed, Stanley fire fighters, with aid from the Nashwaak Valley Fire Department, declared it under control at about 3:30 am that Sunday morning.

Stewart says though no one was hurt, it is a waste of time, and resources when fires like this are set. Not to mention a danger to surrounding homes, residents of the area, and properties.

If you have any information, please contact the RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

Jess McKenzie wrote this for the NB Media Co-op.