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A Saskatoon teen who helped his friends break into a salvage yard on the city’s west side has been ordered to pay $500 in restitution and spend a year on probation for his part in the incident, which resulted in a massive fire that “shattered” the owner’s retirement plans.

The 14-year-old was one of five kids who broke into the compound on April 19. He pleaded guilty to breaking and entering but not to arson. Court heard he was in a car smoking marijuana when his friend started the fire.

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The identities of the youths involved in the incident are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

That 15-year-old who lit the blaze was sentenced last week to 18 months on probation. The resulting fire cost AJ’s Salvage owner Mike Schroeder at least $400,000 after the uninsured business went up in flames.

Although he did not participate in starting the fire, court heard the 14-year-old was previously arrested for breaking into the same salvage yard. Eleven days after he appeared in court on charges related to the fire, he broke into Mayfair Elementary School, court heard. He also pleaded guilty to mischief for damaging a surveillance camera in February.