Arson charge laid in Christmas Day apartment fire in Prince Rupert, B.C.

Lights on a police cruiser are pictured in this file photo.

A 30-year-old suspect has been charged with arson with disregard for human life after allegedly starting a fire in a Prince Rupert apartment complex early Christmas morning.

Garon Michael Dennis Weir remains in custody after being arrested in connection to the fire on Sherbrooke Avenue, Prince Rupert RCMP said in a news release announcing the charges Friday.

According to the detachment, an officer was called to the apartment building around 1:45 a.m. on Dec. 25 for a "noise complaint."

While inside the building, the officer heard the fire alarms going off and "immediately started to alert residents to evacuate," police said.

After the fire was extinguished, police and fire investigators determined that it had been deliberately set. They did not say when Weir was arrested.

Online court records indicate Weir's next court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday in Williams Lake provincial court.

"The Prince Rupert RCMP would like to thank everyone who assisted the residents of the apartment complex during this difficult time," said Staff Sgt. Jagdev Uppal, in the release.

"The people of Prince Rupert came together to assist the 100 occupants who were displaced because of the senseless act of one individual who ruined the holiday season for many. If it wasn’t for the action of the first responders, the result of the fire would have been much worse."

Anyone with information about the fire who has not already spoken to police can contact Prince Rupert RCMP at 250-624-2136, police said.