Meadow Lake man, 28, charged with arson after church destroyed by fire
A 28-year-old Meadow Lake man has been charged with arson after a church was destroyed by fire on Oct. 1. Police said no one was injured.
Crime Canada newsroomPublished
A 28-year-old Meadow Lake man has been charged with arson after a fire destroyed a church on 2nd Street East in the Saskatchewan city, the RCMP said. Police received the report of the fire at about 2 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2026.
Meadow Lake RCMP officers went to the scene, along with the Meadow Lake Fire Department and emergency medical services. Police said no one was injured, but the church was destroyed. Their initial investigation suggested the fire might be suspicious. The RCMP continued to investigate after officers attended the scene.
Arrest and court appearance
The Meadow Lake detachment investigated with help from the Saskatchewan RCMP’s North Battleford Serious Crimes Unit and fire investigators from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency. Police said the investigation so far has not indicated an ideological motive for the arson.
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On Nov. 2, police arrested Gavin Burnouf, 28, of Meadow Lake, and charged him with one count of arson under Section 434 of the Criminal Code. The charge relates to the fire at the church on 2nd Street East, according to the RCMP.
Burnouf appeared in Meadow Lake Provincial Court on Nov. 5, 2026. The RCMP provided details of the arrest, charge and court appearance in its news release.
About these reports
This article is based on the official statement linked below. Charges are allegations; everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
Official source: RCMP