GUELPH – A man charged in connection with a number of suspicious fires throughout Wellington County is set to appear in Guelph court in January.
Justin Nicholas Johnathon Beal, 28, of Guelph-Eramosa, has been charged with seven counts of arson.
After appearing in court a number of times in 2018, Beal will be in Guelph court on Jan. 9 for a focus hearing at 9:30am.
Between October 2017 and January 2018, Beal was charged with arson in relation to seven suspicious fires.
From September 2016 to August 2017, Wellington County OPP and fire officials responded to numerous fires, most of which were in abandoned rural homes and buildings.
A multi-jurisdictional team consisting of police, fire officials and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office investigated a total of 18 blazes.
Charges
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;
– Dec. 5, 2016 barn fire at 7070 Fife Road in 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 at 8813 Sideroad 27, Erin.
