Three charged with arson in Sioux Lookout apartment fire, 17 units damaged

Apartment building on Millar Crescent in Sioux Lookout. July 2024 (Google Maps)

Ontario Provincial Police say three people have been charged with arson following a fire at a Sioux Lookout apartment building Friday night.

Officers responded to the fire around 10:30 p.m. Oct. 25 on Millar Crescent in the northwestern Ontario community located just under 100 kilometres east of Dryden, OPP said in a news release Monday.

"The fire was started in a public area of the apartment building," OPP Det. Const. Andrea Degagne told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in an email.

"Quick reactions by a neighbour had extinguished the fire, but extensive smoke and water damage displaced individuals from approximately 17 units in the building," OPP said.

No injuries have been reported to police, Degagne said.

"The exact number of individuals displaced is not available to us," she added.

Three men from two remote northern First Nations are charged with arson with disregard for human life and damaging property, breaking and entering and mischief.

Two of the accused, ages 23 and 27, are from North Spirit Lake First Nation and also accused of committing a common nuisance endangering life and wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime.

The third suspect is a 32-year-old from North Caribou Lake First Nation.

All three suspects were held in custody over the weekend and are scheduled to appear in bail court Monday in Kenora.

"The OPP would like to thank the firefighters from the Sioux Lookout Fire and Emergency Services and Paramedics from the Northwest Emergency Medical Services for their response to this call, and Ah-Shawah-Bin Sioux Lookout / Lac Seul Victim Support Services and the Canadian Red Cross for their assistance in supporting displaced persons," police said.

"Anyone with any additional information regarding this investigation should contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). Crime Stoppers tips can also be submitted on-line at www.tipshelp.com."