Woman sentenced to probation for suspicious fire

A woman was sentenced Monday to three years probation with a suspended sentence in relation to a suspicious fire that broke out at a downtown home slightly more than a year ago. Lisa Anne Whitford, 43, was issued the term for one count of mischief to property. She had originally been charged with arson in relation to inhabited property. Whitford was arrested March 14, 2016 after firefighters were called to a 1600-block 11th Avenue home shortly before 8 a.m. They found smoke and flames in the rear of the home. The fire was quickly extinguished but not before the home suffered substantial damage. The home’s two occupants got out safely, with one leaving the scene prior to firefighters’ arrival, Prince George Fire Rescue noted in a press release issued at the time. Whitford, who was issued the term in Prince George provincial court, was in custody for 24 days following her arrest.