A resident of the Stoney First Nation has been sentenced to two years in prison in connection to the 2012 fire which decimated a business which, for many, was a landmark along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Early in the morning of August 21, 2012, members of the Nakoda, Cochrane, and Springbank fire departments responded to the Chief Chiniki Restaurant following reports of a fire. Firefighters encountered a building fully engulfed in flames.Despite the efforts of the fire crews, the business was claimed by the blaze and the estimated damage to the building exceeded $1 million.
A police investigation into the fire determined the blaze was the result of arson and RCMP officers arrested and charged four suspects including three minors.
On Wednesday, 22-year-old Noelan Twoyoungmen of the Stoney First Nation was sentenced to a two year federal sentence in connection to the arson.
The identities of the three remaining suspects have not been released as they were minors at the time of the fire. Two of the young people were 16, while the third suspect was 13.
The Chief Chiniki Restaurant was situated on a small hill overlooking the Trans-Canada Highway at a location approximately 60 kilometres west of Calgary.
