Two people charged after historic hotel near Swift Current is gutted by flames

RCMP have charged two people in connection to a devastating fire that saw the Clarendon Hotel in Gull Lake burn to the ground.

The hotel had been standing for more than 100 years before it caught fire on the morning of Oct. 9.

The volunteer fire department was quick to respond, but the historic hotel was a write-off within a couple of hours of the flames igniting.

Police have since charged two people in connection to the fire.

Roy Williams, 46, of Swift Current and Phylisia Smiley, 30, of Gull Lake were charged with break and enter, arson, breach of probation and possession of stolen property.

Smiley is also facing additional charges from a separate incident.

She was charged with one count of dangerous driving, one count of running from police and one count of possession of stolen property.  

Williams will appear in Swift Current Provincial Court on Oct. 20.

Smiley appeared in Swift Current Provincial Court on Oct. 19 and was remanded to appear again in Swift Current on Oct. 21.