A London man is facing arson charges in connection with a blaze that caused $50,000 damage to the Ark Aid Street Mission.
The fire broke out at the rear of the building at 696 Dundas Street near Lyle Street around 6 p.m. last Tuesday. Efforts by London firefighters to extinguish the fire were hindered by winds that kept driving the flames to spread. Despite that, the fire was quickly knocked down and no injuries were reported.
Much of the damage was contained to the back of the agency’s building including a storage shed, stairwell and areas leading into the kitchen and sanctuary apartment.
Fire officials and London police said at the time the blaze was considered suspicious.
Following a week-long investigation, charges in relation to the fire were announced by police on Tuesday.
A 45-year-old London man has been charged with two counts of arson causing damage to property and one count of arson causing damage to own property. He is scheduled to appear in London court by video on Tuesday.
