TLDR;
A Stratford woman has been arrested and charged following a two-year investigation into a restaurant fire in Bayfield that caused $1.2 million in damages. The woman faces multiple charges, including arson and breaking and entering. In a separate incident, a downtown business in London was evacuated due to a suspicious package, which was later determined not to be an explosive device.
- A 63-year-old woman from Stratford is charged with arson.
- A suspicious package in London led to a business evacuation.
[Arrest in Bayfield Restaurant Arson Case]
After a two-year investigation, a 63-year-old woman from Stratford has been arrested and charged in connection with a restaurant fire in Bayfield that resulted in $1.2 million in damages. The fire occurred on October 17, 2023, at a restaurant on Bluewater Highway. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Bluewater Fire Department responded to the blaze, which was later determined to be arson by the Office of the Fire Marshal.
[Charges Against the Accused]
The Stratford woman faces three counts of arson, three counts of breaking and entering to commit an indictable offence, and three counts of possession of incendiary material. She was taken into custody without incident and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in Goderich on October 20. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.
[Suspicious Package Incident in Downtown London]
A business in downtown London was evacuated after a suspicious package was discovered on Richmond Row. The building, located in the 400-block of Richmond Street, was evacuated around 7:30 a.m. The police explosive disposal unit, police dogs, firefighters, and paramedics were called to the scene.
[Resolution of the Suspicious Package Incident]
Authorities determined that the suspicious package was not an explosive device. The road was briefly closed but has since been reopened. Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.