Ontario teenager charged in arson that leaves 15 families homeless
Fire inspector says Owen Sound fire a 'devastating incident' for community
Fifteen families are homeless after a teenage boy was charged with more than 20 counts of arson in Owen Sound, Ont., according to police.
The 17-year-old boy, from Chatsworth, was arrested after investigators determined the homes were deliberately set on fire overnight Sunday.
The fires have shaken up the community.
"It's quite a devastating incident for our community," Vince Wurfel, a police inspector in Owen Sound, said.
Several people were hospitalised for smoke inhalation, police said, but no one was seriously hurt.
The first fire was reported at 2:45 a.m. Several fires were later discovered, some engulfing entire residential buildings.
Four multi-unit residential buildings were destroyed, and there was a series of smaller fires, burning down several sheds.
Authorities believe the fires were set by more than one person.
The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has sent several investigators to the scene.