A blaze at the Ethelbert RCMP detachment that caused severe damage on June 15 was started by arson, said officers on Wednesday.
The cause was determined after an investigation by RCMP and the Manitoba Office of the Fire Commissioner.
A Canada Post employee saw smoke coming from the detachment building in the community, close to 400 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, at around 5 a.m. on June 15.
Fire and emergency crews were called and encountered heavy smoke from the blaze.
An RCMP member was inside the detachment's living quarters at the time and got out safely. No prisoners or other staff members were inside at the time and no injuries were reported.
The fire caused extensive damage to the interior office, while the living quarters received smoke damage, said RCMP.
RCMP ask anyone with information about the incident to contact their local police, the Parkland RCMP detachment at (204) 622-5020, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com
