Police have arrested a second suspect and are looking for at least one more person in connection with an arson spree in Owen Sound, Ont., that injured 10 people and destroyed several homes.
According to police, eight fires were set on Monday morning in the city, located approximately 190 kilometres northwest of Toronto.
Police say the second suspect, a female who has not been identified, was arrested near the city's courthouse on 9th Avenue East Tuesday afternoon. Earlier in the day, police said a 17-year-old male suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the fires.
Officers said 10 people were injured in the fires, which destroyed several homes.
"It was like a flame thrower coming out and I couldn't believe it so I just ran upstairs and yelled at my daughter to get up and get out," area resident Daniel Kreiger told CTV Toronto.
Kreiger's home was one of three locations police believe was intentionally set on fire.
"Our fire department has never responded to three fires of this magnitude at the same time," a police spokesperson said at the scene.
Owen Sound Police said firefighters were first dispatched to a residential complex at approximately 2:45 a.m. on Monday, but a quick-thinking resident was able to extinguish two minor fires that had been set in the area.
An hour later, crews were called to a home a few blocks east of the initial scene. The home was engulfed in flames, and was destroyed in the fire. Houses on either side were also badly damaged.
Another fire was reported at approximately the same time at a townhouse located between the first two scenes. Crews had to help several residents of the townhouse complex escape the blaze as others worked to extinguish the flames. A vehicle parked nearby was also damaged.
By 4 a.m., fire crews were called to a shed fire that had spread to a duplex north of the townhouse fire. Two more shed fires were reported nearby a short time later.
In total, 10 people had to be taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation, officials said. All 10 have since been released. Several others were also displaced due to the damage.
The investigation is ongoing. Police say the 17-year-old male from Chatsworth, Ont., has been charged with 16 counts of arson endangering life, and five counts of arson.
Police say they are unsure how many other suspects may have been involved in the fires but say they are looking for at least one more suspect.
"Our investigation indicates that we are looking for more than one person but the specific number, I can't say at this time," Insp. Vince Wurfel said.
Monday;s incident was one of the biggest fire responses by local emergency officials in Owen Sound's history.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Heather Wright
