A 35-year-old man faces arson charges after a fire destroyed a historic building in Orillia, leaving the community in shock and mourning.
Orillia: A fire broke out early Tuesday morning, and it was a big deal. A 35-year-old man has been charged with arson after this historic building went up in flames.
The fire happened on Peter Street S., and it was around 7:30 a.m. when the firefighters got the call. This building was over a century old and had businesses and apartments inside.
Thankfully, no one got hurt, but the damage is severe. The roof and second floor collapsed, so it looks like the building is a total loss.
Police got some video from locals showing a suspicious person lighting a small fire nearby. They found a guy who matched the description the next day.
This man, who’s from Brampton, is now in custody and waiting for a bail hearing. If anyone was in downtown Orillia between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. that day, the police want to hear from you.
Roads are still closed around the area, so it’s a bit of a mess right now. It’s a tough time for the community, losing such an important piece of their history.
