North Bay man charged with five counts of arson

A 30-year-old North Bay man is accused of setting five fires in the downtown area that were reported within an hour of each other July 4. (File)

A 30-year-old North Bay man is accused of setting five fires in the downtown area that were reported within an hour of each other July 4.

“The investigation began at approximately 11 p.m. on July 4 following a series of fires in the downtown core in which couches, a mattress, and garbage bins were targeted,” police said in a news release July 7.

“The fires were reported between 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. and were all quickly extinguished by North Bay Fire and Emergency Services.”

Suspect located nearby

Police believe the man set fires on First Avenue East and Sherbrooke Street; First Avenue East and Ferguson Street; the 400 block of Second Avenue East; Cassells Street and McIntyre Street East; and, the 100 block of Ferguson Street.

“Through the investigation, officers identified the accused, who was subsequently located nearby and arrested without incident,” the release said.

He is charged with five counts of arson.

“Our patrol section worked fast to identify the accused and make an arrest before anyone was injured,” Acting Deputy Jeff Warner said in the news release.

“Thank you to North Bay Fire and Emergency Services for quickly extinguishing the fires and helping protect our community. Deliberately setting fires puts lives and property at risk and we will not tolerate this type of behaviour in our community.”

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.