In what can only be described as a strange series of events lead to one person being taken into custody on Friday, August 2, 2019 north of Welcome in the Municipality of Port Hope.
The Port Hope Fire Department were called at approximately 8:15 a.m. to the Budget Inn on County Road 2 in Welcome north of Port Hope for reports of smoke coming from one of the rooms.
When firefighters arrived on scene, a vehicle was outside a room close to where the fire was located and firefighters had to struggle to pry the door open.
Once the door was open there was heavy smoke coming from the room, but firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and brought out a burnt mattress.
A male fled the room through the rear window of the unit wearing what police described as body armour and armed with what appeared to be a hand gun.
Nearby residents were evacuated and others in the area were asked to stay inside and keep their doors locked.
Northumberland OPP closed several roads and evacuated nearby businesses and set up containment of the initial area with the assistance from members of the Port Hope Police Service blocking roads north of Port Hope.
OPP members with the East Region Tactical Rescue Unit (TRU), the OPP Aviation Unit, Emergency Response Team (ERT) members along with canine arrived at the scene to track the suspect who was located in a wooded area behind the Budget Inn.
Two firearms were seized upon the arrest of the male suspect. The male was transported with a police escort to a Northumberland Hills Hospital for minor injuries sustained after he was bit by the canine unit.
The investigation is being continued by members of the Northumberland OPP Crime Unit, with the assistance from the Central Region Forensic Identification Services (FIS)
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
