RCMP charge West Arichat woman, Santana Maria Leblanc, with arson

RCMP have laid charges following a fire that burned a home to the ground in West Arichat. On July 8, around 7:45 p.m., police received a report of a fire at a home on Highway 206 in West Arichat. Police attending the scene learned that the fire had been set deliberately. Two people, who were in the home at the time of the fire, managed to escape without injury but the home was a 'total loss', according to police.

Police arrested a female suspect without incident a short time later in Louisdale, and she was held in custody overnight.

34-year-old Santana Maria Leblanc, of West Arichat, has been charged with:
• Arson - Disregard for human life

Leblanc was scheduled to appear in Port Hawkesbury Provincial court on July 9.

Police say the investigation is ongoing and are encouraging anyone with information about this incident to contact the Richmond District RCMP at 902-226-2533. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS, submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.