kentville man charged with arson in blaze that damaged two downtown buildings
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two kentville firefighters stretch out a hose as they prepare to attack a fire on webster court last tuesday. kentville police have charged a man with arson in the fire.
police in kentville have charged a man in connection with a fire last week that damaged two buildings in the town.
andrew ross baltzer of kentville was arrested over the weekend in connection with a july 7 fire on webster court in the downtown area.
in a release, police said the arrest came “as a result of the thorough investigation.”
baltzer, 32, has been charged with two counts of arson causing damage to property and one of breach of probation.
police said the outcome could have been much worse.
“thanks to the prompt and co-ordinated efforts of the kentville volunteer fire department and additional local volunteer fire services, the situation was brought under control. their prompt action prevented further damage and ensured the safety of nearby building and residents.”
police evacuated a nearby apartment house during the fire.
the blaze started in a narrow alley between two two-storey buildings. the flames spread quickly up the vinyl siding of one and into the attic, burning off much of the roof before the fire could be extinguished.
the exterior wall of the other building was not made of vinyl and the fire did not spread as quickly. however, it did burn a small portion of that roof.
the most heavily damaged building was rented by a company that sells and installs solar panels. the building sustained extensive smoke and water damage on both floors, but skylit said in a post online that some of its materials were saved.
the other building contains several businesses and offices, including local crown attorney offices, provincial victim services and other government agencies. it sustained minor water and fire damage, and moderate smoke damage.
traffic in the downtown was disrupted for about three hours while firefighters from several departments battled the blaze.
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police have not made a connection between the fire and another in march that started in a garbage shed and caused extensive damage to a downtown office building that contained several businesses. that fire occurred a block away from last week’s blaze.
baltzer was held in custody pending an appearance in kentville provincial court monday. he appeared briefly in court and was sent for a five-day psychiatric assessment.
he has a long list of current and closed cases in the kentville area, court records show, mostly for mischief, theft and breach of probation. in january 2018, he was sentenced 25 months in prison for production of methamphetamines after police and firefighters, responding to a report of a strange smell from an apartment in a kentville building, discovered items and material consistent with those used to make the drug,
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