Police lay arson charges after series of fires

Police say two men are facing charges related to a string of fires reported in Saskatoon.

Five blazes were spotted around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday in garbage cans and recycling bins along a back alley in the area of Temperance Street and McKinnon Avenue North.

Just as officers were arriving to respond to that call, another fire involving a vehicle was reported nearby on the 400 block of Leslie Avenue.

Police arriving at the second scene reportedly spotted two men walking away who matched suspect descriptions provided from the earlier fires.

Officers arrested both men. In a media release issued Wednesday, police said both suspects were found with multiple lighters.

The men, 24 and 25, are facing 12 arson-related charges. The 25-year-old is also charged with breach of an undertaking and breach of probation.

Police said they expected to lay more charges against the men pending completion of their investigation.