Arsonist behind fire that tore through Ontario city’s historic district: police

A 35-year-old antheral is facing an arson complaint aft a large occurrence ripped done a more-than-a-century-old gathering successful an Ontario city’s historical district.

The occurrence successful Orillia, which is conscionable northbound of Barrie, broke retired astatine a concern wrong the gathering astatine 7 Peter St. successful the aboriginal greeting hours Tuesday, officials said.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said its officers responded to the occurrence conscionable earlier 7:30 a.m. When they arrived, they recovered a concern wrong the gathering ablaze.

First responders began enactment to enactment retired the fire, and evacuated the country arsenic the blaze grew. City officials said the building’s property and operation presented unsocial challenges to firefighters. Once the blaze extended done the attic, it caused a extortion collapse, requiring crews to conflict the flames from the exterior.

Additional challenges included acold weather, which created icy conditions, and precocious winds, necessitating much predominant rotation of crews. Unfortunately, metropolis officials said the occurrence caused important harm and led to the “total loss” of the building.

“This morning’s occurrence successful our historical downtown is devastating for country residents and businesses,” Mayor Don McIsaac said successful a Jan. 21 statement.

“The buildings successful this country are much than a period aged and clasp peculiar value for our metropolis arsenic homes and workplaces.”

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City officials added nary residents lived successful the affected building, but respective businesses called it home. People who lived adjacent person been displaced, and galore parts of the downtown person been closed arsenic hotspots inactive remain.

The OPP said Wednesday officers began canvassing businesses and residents for immoderate video footage of what whitethorn person caused the fire, which past led to a transgression investigation. Shortly afterwards, constabulary began to judge the occurrence was started intentionally.

They identified a suspect, and astatine 9:54 p.m. Wednesday, officers recovered a fishy matching that discerption.

A 35-year-old antheral from Brampton has been charged with arson, disregard for quality life. He was held successful custody pending a bail hearing.

Police are requesting that anyone with immoderate information, video footage, oregon who whitethorn person been successful the downtown halfway of Orillia betwixt the hours of 5 and 7 a.m. connected Jan. 21 to interaction them.