A Guelph woman is charged with arson in connection with a fire last month that destroyed a downtown building and displaced residents of 15 apartment units.
She also faces an additional charge related to a fire at an east end business 10 days later.
Approximately 11:45 p.m. March 12, emergency services were called to an active fire on Wyndham Street North after reports of smoke filling apartments and hallways on the second and third floors. The building was evacuated after an active fire was located in the basement.
More than 30 minutes after the fire was reported, Guelph Fire Department personnel located a female in a stairwell area and escorted her from the building. It is believed the female had been illegally living in the basement of the building. No injuries were reported.
An investigation by the Guelph Fire Department and Office of the Fire Marshal determined there were four separate areas of origin located in the basement. Damages are estimated at more than $1 million and all tenants have been permanently displaced.
On March 22, just after 6 a.m., a fire was reported outside a business near York Road and Victoria Road South. A flower bed had been set on fire and singed a wooden patio attached to the building, but luckily was quickly extinguished by a neighbour and only caused minor damage.
On Thursday a 31-year-old woman was arrested. She is charged with arson with disregard for human life, arson causing damage to property and breaching probation. She will appear in a Guelph bail court April 19.
