A 39-year-old man in North Bay has been charged with starting several fires in downtown North Bay in an investigation that began with a complaint about a public disturbance. He was initially arrested Aug. 8 when police responded to a complaint about someone causing a disturbance at a community outreach event on Main Street East. “The accused was found to be in possession of stolen property and is alleged to have damaged public property and started a fire on a picnic table that caused further damage to private property,” North Bay police said in a news release Aug. 20. “The accused was then connected to a separate arson investigation that began at approximately 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 5 … following a series of fires in the downtown core in which garbage bags and garbage bins were targeted.” Charged with starting 6 fires The fires were discovered between 12:40 a.m. and 1 a.m. and were all quickly extinguished by officers. Further investigation linked him to several other fires, including two fires on Ferguson Street and single fires on Oak Street East, Wyld Street and Main Street East, and another on Main Street East. The suspect has been charged with six counts of arson, mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000 and causing a disturbance. “We take reports of unsafe and unwelcome behaviour in our community seriously,” acting deputy chief Jeff Warner said in the news release. “Deliberately damaging property and intentionally setting fires puts everyone at risk. Our officers acted quickly, and through persistent investigation, we are holding the accused accountable.” The accused has been remanded into custody after a bail hearing and has his next court date on Aug. 26.
