A Red Deer man is facing first-degree murder and arson charges in connection with a fatal March 31 fire in West Park.
RCMP said they were called to a structure fire about 3:30 a.m. on 39th Street near 54th Avenue in West Park.
Red Deer Emergency Services determined the fire started in the basement of a multi-unit residence. A man and a woman were found inside a unit and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The 21-year-old woman died from her injuries in hospital. Police said the cause of death will not be released.
A 37-year-old man was later released from hospital and then arrested by police.
A neighbour said the home has long been a rental and was sold to new owners around six months ago.
An upstairs tenant told her that power and gas had not been restored and a number of residents have had to find somewhere else to stay.
The tenant said he had been told that a gas line had been involved in some way with the incident.
There was no obvious fire damage to the home, which had children’s toys, flowers and a bicycle frame in the front yard along with an overflowing full recycling bin. A screen was lying next to a basement window.
Richard Raymond is facing charges of first-degree murder and arson. He was due in Red Deer provincial court on Thursday.