On Thursday September 24, 2020, at approximately 3:15 pm, members from the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Alnwick-Haldimand Township Fire Department and Northumberland EMS attended a residential fire on Dunnette Landing Road just south of Rice Lake.
One of the two occupants that escaped the blaze was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for non life threatening injuries.
The Fire Marshall was contacted and did not attend the scene.
The Northumberland OPP Major Crime Unit conducted an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the fire. As a result of their investigation a 25-year-old individual from Alnwick-Haldimand Township has been arrested and charged with:
· Arson – Disregard for human life
· Uttering threats – cause death or bodily harm (two counts)
· Resist peace officer
The accused was held in custody for a show cause hearing on October 7, 2020 and was subsequently released and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cobourg on a date in November, 2020.
The name of the accused is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim.
Update – Northumberland OPP Investigating Suspicious Structure Fire