Sudbury police seek arson suspect wanted in connection with weekend fire

Sudbury police are investigating an arson after a fire damaged a shed and a nearby convenience store on Saturday. Lyndsay Aelick has the latest.

Greater Sudbury Fire Services responded to a fire Saturday afternoon beside a business on Notre Dame Avenue that caused about $150,000 in damage.

The fire is believed to be arson and Sudbury police released a photo of a suspect Monday of the person wanted in connection with the fire.

Deputy Fire Chief Jess Oshell told CTV News that crews responded around 1:30 p.m. to reports of a shed on fire next to a building.

“The shed was a complete loss,” Oshell said in a message.

“Damage to the building was minimal and to the exterior, with some minor smoke and water damage inside.”

Power had to be isolated and shut off to the building, so the store owner had to close and leave the property while firefighters dealt with the blaze.

In a news release Monday, Sudbury police said they believe the fire was arson.

“Officers were originally dispatched to assist with traffic control in the area, however, through the investigation it was determined to be a suspected arson,” police said.

“Based on the initial investigation, information provided to police was that an individual was seen behind the building just prior to the fire. Officers were able to obtain the attached image of the individual.”

The fire caused substantial damage to the building, displacing several individuals who reside above the storefront location, police said.

Resident Madizon Pepin took video of the blaze and of firefighters putting the fire out and shared her recordings with CTV News Northern Ontario.

She posted a video to social media, with some people commenting that the fire had been started intentionally by someone who had been thrown out of the store just prior to the fire.