Police release surveillance footage amid investigation into Prince Albert shelter fire

Police in Prince Albert are asking the public for help identifying a person seen in surveillance video around the time of a suspected arson fire.

Prince Albert police have released surveillance footage of a person of interest in a suspected arson that destroyed the city’s warming shelter on Christmas Day.

Investigators are asking the public for help identifying the individual captured in the video, which shows the area around the 900 block of Central Avenue, where the Salvation Army warming shelter burned on Dec. 25.

Police say the footage shows the area shortly after the fire is believed to have started. The person is seen walking south in an alley behind the 900 block around 7:31 p.m., removing black pants to reveal grey pants underneath.

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One minute later, they are seen heading west on 10th Street toward Central Avenue, then north on the east side of Central around 7:33 p.m. The individual is last seen around 8:00 p.m. on the northeast corner of Central Avenue before continuing southbound.

Police say it is not known whether the person of interest was involved in the fire or is a potential witness.

Anyone with information is asked to call Prince Albert police’s non-emergency line or Crime Stoppers.