Knox Mountain arson suspect wore camouflage, armed with slingshot: Kelowna RCMP

Police have released more details about what happened Friday when a man lit several fires at Knox Mountain in Kelowna.

Police received a report of a man in full camouflage using a slingshot to target construction workers and surveillance equipment at the base of the mountain around 3 p.m. on Oct. 24, according to a press release from police. 

Witnesses saw someone lighting fires and trying to get the flames to spread using vegetation. The fire spread quickly since conditions were dry and windy.

The blaze ended up putting several hikers, bikers and residents in danger. 

The Kelowna Fire Department and RCMP officers arrived on the scene and were concerned the fire would grow into a larger forest fire. 

First responders managed to put the fire out before it escalated. 

Robert Austin Teal, 48, was arrested, charged and denied bail with his next court appearance set for Oct. 30.

Teal allegedly had a standoff with police that lasted 45 minutes, but no one was injured. He has been charged with arson and assaulting a peace officer with a weapon.

He was denied bail on Oct. 25 and is still in custody. 

Teal has a criminal history going back 20 years with charges for assault, domestic violence and an incident where he went into a Summerland liquor store with a chainsaw.