Didsbury RCMP received a lesson in how not to resist arrest last Wednesday night (September 6).

The woman who gave them the lesson forgot that, if you decide to light your own home on fire when you're in it, you're still inside your home, and it's on fire!  

Shortly after 8:00 pm on September 6th, Didsbury RCMP went to a home in the town to arrest the woman on outstanding warrants.  RCMP Corporal Laurel Scott picks up the story from there.

"The female resisted arrest, went into the residence and barricaded herself inside.  Following that she was seen to be wielding a machete and she then lit the residence on fire.  The Didsbury RCMP as well as the Olds RCMP and the Red Deer RCMP Police Dog Service were all on scene to try to get in there and get this lady out of the residence.  We had to wait to get a warrant to get into the home."  

The woman was forced out of the home by toxic smoke from the fire and was taken safely into police custody.

The Didsbury Fire Department was called on to extinguish the blaze which caused significant damage to the home's upper floor.

The woman, along with three RCMP officers were treated by Didsbury EMS for smoke inhalation, which, Scott says was not serious.  

The woman now faces several additional charges, along with the ones she was originally to be arrested for.  "She faces new charges including arson, possession of a dangerous weapon and resisting arrest," says Scott.

The woman's name can't be released by the RCMP as charges haven't been formally sworn.  

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