Multiple storage units at the facility near the Schmalz Auction yard were destroyed by the fire on Jan. 8, 2024. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Storage facility arsonist receives 1.5 year sentence

Sep 18, 2025 | 6:00 AM

A fire at a storage bin facility south of Prince Albert caused $1.1 million in damage.

That’s according to the agreed statement of facts read on Tuesday during Floyd Mervin Isbister’s sentencing hearing at provincial court.

A guilty plea was entered by the 36-year-old to recklessly causing damage by fire, and he received a 600-day jail sentence. With credit for time spent in remand, he was granted time served.

On the morning of Jan. 8, 2024, police were called to the facility, and the investigation determined that multiple storage units had their contents burned.

Isbister, who was homeless and freezing, entered one of the storage units for shelter and set fire to some pallets. He fell asleep and awoke to find the fire was out of control.

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At the time of the incident, Deputy Fire Chief Alex Paul of the Prince Albert Fire Department said the nature of the building made it hard to contain the fire.

“Just because of the design of the building, it’s spreading from unit to unit, and there are many overhead doors to open,” he said.

Due to the fact that the storage unit facility is outside of city limits, there were no hydrants and water was trucked in.

Isbister was arrested about 40 minutes after RCMP were called to the scene. The police dog service tracked him to a nearby business.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell