The trial of a St. John’s man charged with arson from a fire in the summer of 2016 is underway in St. John’s.

There is no dispute that someone used gasoline to start the fire that destroyed Waterford Manor. The Crown and defense have already agreed it’s a case of arson. What they can’t agree on is who started the blaze.

David Badrudin was a co-owner of the property. He’s charged in connection with setting the fire that extensively damaged the historic property three and a half years ago.

On Tuesday morning, the court heard from the lead investigator—RNC Constable Steve Walsh.

Walsh responded to the scene after the fire, and says he recovered four 20-litre red gas cans from various areas of the large home.

While the fire happened in July, 2016, it would be almost a year before police filed a charge. Constable Walsh told the defense he did not interview David Badrudin prior to laying the charge. When asked by the Crown if that was unusual, he said, “No.”

The fire and explosion at Waterford Manor happened in July of 2016. David Badrudin was not charged with starting the fire until June of 2017. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/I9R5iSdqAN

— Fred Hutton (@Fred_Hutton) December 3, 2019

The former General Manager of the Waterford Manor also testified on Tuesday.

Stephanie Hussey told the court she has known the accused for about 20 years. She said that at the time before the fire, David Badrudin was not supposed to be in the building without supervision.

Hussey said she was uncomfortable with the people Badrudin would bring around, and was concerned about the guests at the Manor.

Hussey told the court that on the evening of the fire, she left Badrudin in the building while she drove to a nearby store. While she was gone, she received a call that the building was on fire.

When she returned, firetrucks were already on the scene.

A father and son who were living in apartments in the basement of the home are expected on the stand as the next witnesses.