Melville/Ituna RCMP Detachment continue to investigate an early morning blaze to the King George Hotel in Melville.
The original hotel was destroyed by fire on February 17, 2010. That fire was caused by arson.
The new hotel was set up in a temporary location also on Main Street, Melville.
The Melville Fire Department and RCMP were dispatched to the fire at 12:40 a.m., April 2nd. It took several hours for the fire department to put out the fire due to the flat roof construction and heavy use of tar.
The scene was examined by the Melville Fire Chief Tyrone Mogenson, an investigator from the Office of the Fire Commissioner, and a fire scene examiner from the RCMP. The cause of the fire is determined to be caused by “human hand”, and the investigation remains open.
Ronald St. Amand was charged for starting the 2010 fire, and remains in custody.
This new arson investigation continues with the assistance of the Yorkton Forensic Identification Section and General Investigation Section.
The building was owned and operated as Lee’s Restaurant before the family moved to Grenfell to open Chen’s Garden Restaurant. The building was sold in 2008.
If you have any information on this or any other crime, please contact the Melville RCMP at 306-728-1700, the Ituna RCMP at 306-795-6400, or you may call Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through SaskTel Mobility Network at *8477, or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com where you can also view information on other unsolved crimes.
sunnews@sasktel.net
