Charges approved in catastrophic 2016 White Rock, B.C., fire

Arson charges have been laid against a 24-year-old man in connection witha devastatingfire in White Rock, B.C., in2016 thatdisplaced dozens of peopleand caused millions of dollars in damages.

Police say seven charges have been approved against James Adrian Dyer of Surrey, B.C.

White Rock RCMPhad arrested two men in connection to the fire in July 2021. Thesuspects were arrested forarson, break and enterand theft, among other offences.

Firefighting efforts affected water supply

On May 15, 2016,a fire quickly overtookan under-construction condo and spread to surrounding occupied residencesand businesses in the Five Corners area of White Rock.

The firedisplaced more than 100 residentsand resulted in millionsof dollars in damages, said RCMP.

A boil water advisory was initiated the same day after firefightingefforts to extinguish the fire drained White Rock's water supply.

'Detailed and complex investigation'

RCMP previously told CBC News it wasquickly evident thefire was intentionallysetbut that it would bedifficult to prove.

"This was a detailed and complex investigation that involved multiple evidentiary scenes, forensic analysis, the involvement of approximately 120 police and civilian witnesses that held a small piece of the puzzle or contributed to the investigation over the last fiveyears," said WhiteRock RCMP Staff Sgt.Kale Pauls.

White Rock Fire DepartmentChiefPhil Lemirepreviously told CBC Newsthis was the biggest and most catastrophic fire he has seen in his 38-year career.

In a statement, White Rock RCMPsaidit would notbe commenting further now that the caseis before the courts.

Dyerwill make his first court appearance in Surrey, B.C., provincial courton Feb.23.