North Bay-area suspect charged with IPV, setting home on fire

A 60-year-old faces arson and spousal assault charges after a domestic dispute escalated to a house fire in Redbridge, northeast of North Bay, on Friday.

A 60-year-old from Phelps Township, outside of North Bay, Ont., has been charged in an intimate partner violence incident that resulted in a structure fire.

The incident took place March 20 at 5:20 p.m. when Ontario Provincial Police responded to a 911 call “reporting a domestic assault in progress at a residence on North River Road in Phelps Township,” police said in a news release Monday.

“A second call from the victim reported that the residence was on fire. The Phelps Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched and the victim was confirmed to be safely out of the residence.”

Engulfed in flames

Police arrived to find the home “fully engulfed in flames,” police said.

“The accused later exited an outbuilding on the property and surrendered to police.”

The 60-year-old is charged with arson with disregard to human life, arson causing damage to property, two counts of spousal assault and mischief.

The accused in the case is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in North Bay sometime on Monday.

“The North East Region forensic identification services and the North Bay OPP crime unit are assisting with the ongoing investigation,” police said.

If you or someone you know is living in or involved in an abusive relationship, help is available. Contact Victim Services of Nipissing District at 705‑472‑2649. In an emergency, call 911.

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