Ottawa man faces arson and assault charges in apartment fire

The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) have charged a man with arson among other offences following an apartment fire last week.

Around 8:11 a.m. on Aug. 22, Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) responded to a fire in an east-end residential high-rise in the 1100 block of Cummings Avenue, off Ogilvie Road in the Cyrville area.

Visible smoke was emerging from the rear of the building, as well as flames coming out of a second floor apartment window. Fire crews immediately proceeded to the second floor, located the fire and began searching the unit for any occupants.

Officials helped multiple residents safely evacuate the building using the stairwell, adding the blaze was contained before it was able to spread past the unit.

The fire was declared “under control” shortly after fire crews arrived.

Extensive ventilation operations were conducted, using high pressurized fans to remove residual smoke from the residential building, said OFS.

“High levels of carbon monoxide were detected in the building, so ventilation operations continued until the air quality was deemed safe for residents to return to their units,” they added.

Police say in a release that the fire caused “significant damage” to the building and left some residents without shelter.

Following an investigation, officers have charged 33-year-old Shawn Lepage of Ottawa with the following:

• Arson causing property damage
• Arson endangering life
• Uttering death threats
• Resisting arrest
• Assault police officer x2

He is set to appear in court at a later date.

With files from Andrea Bennett.