Police have arrested and charged a 29-year-old Havelock man with arson and other offences after a fire at a 20-unit apartment building in Havelock on Tuesday evening (April 23) that caused extensive damage and displaced 18 residents.
At around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Peterborough County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) responded to a call about a fire at the building on George Street East, which is owned by the Peterborough Housing Corporation.
When officers arrived, fire crews were dealing with a fully engulfed structure fire. All occupants of the building were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
Police spoke to a complainant at the scene who indicated that, after an argument, a man known to the complainant had uttered threats and left the building, which was then engulfed in flames. The complainant provided a description of the man to officers.
At around 7:30 p.m., officers received a call about a suspicious person and located the suspect a short distance away from the scene. As a result, police arrested and charged a 29-year-old male Havelock man with arson (disregard for human life), two counts of failure to comply with a probation order, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, and uttering threats to damage property.
Police are not releasing the name of the accused man to protect the identity of the complainant. The accused man is being held in custody for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Peterborough.
Police have contacted the Office of the Fire Marshal which will be attending the scene to investigate. There will be a continued police presence in the area during the investigation.
The Peterborough Housing Corporation issued a media release about the fire on Wednesday, stating that it is working with the 18 residents who have been displaced as a result of the fire. While all residents have secured safe temporary accommodations, it is expected that it will take several weeks before more permanent housing will be secured.
“This has been a devastating experience for our residents and for the entire Havelock community,” says Peterborough Housing Corporation interim CEO Hope Lee in a media release. “I send them my most sincere sympathies for their trauma and loss.”
“I want to recognize the heroic efforts of our first responders who managed to get everyone out of the building safely and contain the fire despite difficult conditions. Thank you for your bravery and expertise.”
Lee also thanked the Havelock community and residents from neighbouring areas “for their remarkable response and support of the displaced people.”
