A Guelph-Eramosa man charged earlier this year in connection with six suspicious fires now faces a seventh arson charge.
On Jan. 2 Justin Nicholas Johnathon Beal, 28, of Guelph-Eramosa, was charged with arson in relation to a suspicious fire at 7070 Fife Road in Guelph-Eramosa on Dec. 5, 2016.
Wellington County OPP officers, along with fire officials throughout the region, responded to a number of suspicious fires between September 2016 and August 2017.
Most of the blazes involved abandoned rural homes and buildings in southern Wellington.
A “multi-jurisdictional” team consisting of police and fire officials and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a total of 18 blazes.
In October Beal was charged in relation to the following fires:
– Oct. 14, 2016 house fire at 5230 Third Line, Guelph-Eramosa;
– Oct. 19, 2016 house fire at 5292 Third Line, Guelph-Eramosa;
– Feb. 3, 2017 shed fire at 6873 Highway 7 Guelph-Eramosa;
– Feb, 3, 2017 house and barn fire at 5413 Township Road 3, Guelph-Eramosa;
– June 25, 2017 shed fire at 5324 Wellington Road 125, Erin; and
– June 25, 2017 house fire 8813 Sideroad 27, Erin.
Despite the most recent charge, OPP officials say the investigation is continuing.
Anyone with any information about a suspicious fire is urged to contact Detective Heidi Pautsch or Detective Mark Allen at 519-846-5930, or contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.
