A man armed with a “large knife” at Calgary City Hall was arrested by police Tuesday morning.
Police and firefighters were called to the building, located at the corner of 7 Avenue and Mcleod Trail, around 3:55 a.m.
CPS said the man entered by breaking the glass in the front of the building.
Police told Global News the man started four separate fires on the third floor, causing the sprinkler system to activate.
Although fire damage is minimal, there is water damage from the sprinkler system and the third floor is expected to be off limits for some time, according to the Calgary Fire Department (CFD).
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CFD also told Global News that water from the third floor leaked to the floors below.
In a news release sent out later Tuesday morning, CPS said the man is a client of the Police and Crisis Team (PACT) and the incident highlights the importance of working with Alberta Health Services to offer assessment, support and counseling for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
“While in many cases intervention and coordination through our partnership has been successful in preventing a mental health crisis from becoming a policing issue, unfortunately there are cases that are violent in nature and require an adequate police response,” Superintendent Asif Rashid said.
The Calgary Fire Department was called to Calgary City Hall for reports of four fires believed to have been started by a man who broke into the building on August 2, 2022. Global News
“Out of sympathy and compassion for the man and his current mental health, we will not release his name. We are relieved that no one was injured and he is now receiving the care he needs.
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The man was taken into custody shortly after police arrived and charges are pending.
Please note that the Town Hall is temporarily closed to the public today due to repairs from an incident that occurred overnight.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) August 2, 2022
Although a fire investigator was called in, the battalion chief said police will determine if an arson investigator should be involved.
As of 11:36 a.m., Calgary City Hall remains closed as City of Calgary officials assess the damage.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 403-266-1234.
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