Arson charge laid after Grand Ave. E. fire

A 45-year-old Chatham man has been charged with arson and arson endangering life after a fire last week in Chatham.

Chatham-Kent police say no-one was in the unit last Tuesday during the fire, which was reported at 11:30 p.m. There were other tenants in the building, a residence that has four rental units. Luckily no injuries were reported. Property damage was estimated at $30,000. The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall attended the scene and deemed the fire suspicious.

Police learned that the tenant who lives in the unit where the fire originated intentionally set the fire. This morning he was taken into custody and charged. He was transported to the court for a bail hearing.