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Psych evaluation for woman accused of setting Penticton townhouse fire

Sydney Leer, 18, is accused of setting a fire displacing the residents of four townhouses in Penticton
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Penticton firefighters inspect the townhouse unit at Cascade Gardens on Penticton Avenue where a fire started the evening of Thursday

The Penticton female accused of an arson displacing the residents of four townhouse units at the Cascade Gardens complex on Oct. 13 is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.

Sydney Leer, 18, is facing two counts of arson.

Read More: Penticton townhouse fire being called an arson

A publication ban was requested by defence counsel Norm Yates and ordered by Judge Meg Shaw, banning the publication of the circumstances related to the charges.

Crown and defence recommended Leer undergo a forensic psychiatric evaluation to determine if she is not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder.

Leer returns to court on Nov. 16.

Penticton fire chief Larry Watkinson told the Western News last week that crews determined the fire was deliberately set.

Residents gathered outside the townhouse complex around 8:30 p.m. Oct. 13 and bystanders told the Western News there were arguments heard in the unit where the fire originated. Crews battled the blaze throughout the night and were seen drilling holes into the exterior of the buildings  around 5 a.m. Oct. 14.

All four units remain uninhabitable.