Man, 49, charged after blaze forces dozens from public housing highrise
A 49-year-old man from London is charged with arson, police say, after a fire broke out in an apartment building on Wharncliffe Road North, forcing dozens out of their homes.
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A 49-year-old man from London is charged with arson, police say, after a fire broke out in an apartment building on Wharncliffe Road North, forcing dozens out of their homes.
It was about 9:30 a.m. on holiday Monday when London Fire Department crews were called to a highrise at 349 Wharncliffe Rd. N. in response to a blaze. A man had to be rescued from a balcony, platoon Chief Gary Mosburger said Monday, adding the man was not injured.
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Police on Tuesday said that officers assisting the fire department with removing residents from the building arrested one person in connection with the blaze.
A 49-year-old man from London is charged with one count of arson with disregard for human life, police said. He remained in custody, police said on Tuesday, and was scheduled to next appear in London court on Thursday.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident was asked to call London police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
The fire was deemed suspicious. About 40 people were forced from their homes in the building, which is located north of Oxford Street and operated by London Middlesex Community Housing.
A video posted to social media by the London Fire Department indicated the fire was in a third-floor apartment in the building. The fire was brought under control in about 10 minutes, Mosburger said in an interview on Monday.
Matt Senechal, a spokesperson with the public housing authority, said it was not clear Monday evening how many residents, if any, would be forced from their homes for an extended period of time.
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@BeaBaleeiro
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