One year jail term for man convicted in arson fire at Innisfail hotel

A man charged in connection with a hotel fire in Innisfail last year has been sentenced to one year in jail.

Joshua James Allen, 40, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 365 days in jail in Red Deer provincial court on April 12, 2023, and was also sentenced to two years of probation following his release, along with a 10-year firearms prohibition on non-restricted firearms and a lifetime ban on restricted firearms.

He was convicted on one count of arson-reckless disregard for human life, while a charge of mischief-damage under $5000 was withdrawn.

It was on Nov. 26, 2022, when Innisfail RCMP received a report of a fire at the Zoo hotel in Innisfail. Upon arrival, investigators ensured the building was evacuated.