GREAT FALLS, Mont. (NMB) – Three Great Falls teenagers have been arrested on felony charges based on allegations that they deliberately started the Gibson Flats Fire that destroyed well over two dozen structures, including 13 homes.
The suspects are 18-year-old Brandon Bennett and 19-year-olds Jevin Mclean and Galvinn Munson.
Cascade County Sheriff Jesse Slaughter said at a press conference Wednesday that their investigation has discovered that the teens were seen driving around the area smoking marijuana and shooting off fireworks at each other. Slaughter says they then got out of the car and Munson then set two fires: one by shooting a roman candle into the grass, and one by using a lighter.
Slaughter says the suspects admitted to these accusations when they were questioned.
One of the fires was a grass fire that burned just over a mile radius. The other burned over 84 acres, consuming 13 homes, 16 outbuildings, and numerous vehicles and personal property.
The fires were reported in the early morning of December 1st and spread rapidly due to dry and windy conditions. No serious injuries were reported.
Munson is facing 13 counts of criminal endangerment and two counts of arson. Mclean and Bennett are being charged with arson by accountability.
KMON was first to report the arrests of the suspects early on the morning of December 8th, several hours prior to Slaughter’s press conference.
