A youth has been charged with multiple offences following a residential fire in Ottawa’s Barrhaven area that claimed the lives of three dogs.
The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon at a single-family home on Muirfield Gardens in Nepean. Emergency crews responded shortly after 3:20 p.m. after receiving several reports of flames and smoke coming from the basement. Firefighters quickly entered the home to battle the blaze and search for occupants, finding no one inside.
While no fatalities were reported among residents, one person was treated for minor smoke inhalation. Three dogs died as a result of the fire.
Following an investigation involving Ottawa Police, Ottawa Fire Services, and the Office of the Fire Marshal, a youth was arrested and charged with several offences, including arson with disregard for human life, arson causing property damage, possession of incendiary materials for arson, two counts of uttering threats, three counts of killing or injuring animals, and three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
The accused, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, appeared in court on Wednesday. The investigation remains ongoing.