Attempted murder charges laid in Overbrook apartment fire

The Ottawa Police Service has laid charges against an Ottawa man, including for attempted murder, in connection with an alleged arson of an Overbrook apartment building last week.

Two children and one woman were sent to hospital in critical condition in the fire that broke out on the third floor of 1244 Donald Street in the early hours of May 2.

There were 14 injuries in total and hundreds of residents were displaced. The building has approximately 136 units.

Ottawa Fire Services say about 50 apartments were impacted by Thursday's fire, citing water and smoke damage.

Saeed Mohamed, 42, of Ottawa, has been charged with three counts of attempted murder, arson with disregard for human life, three counts of arson, possession of incendiary material and arson causing property damage.

He was expected to appear in court Wednesday.

Kimberley Daoust, who lives on the sixth floor, told CTV News Ottawa it was frightening to hear of the charges.

"Well, that is, like, very, very, very scary. It makes the building, like, not really a safe place to live."

A second fire was reported at the highrise in the evening of May 3 where one resident was injured. Police say there is no indication that fire was suspicious.

Fatima Otham is still without a home after the fire on Friday. Otham fled Syria two years ago with her family and must now find another new place to live.

"We were seven people in the apartment," she said. "When they told us you guys going to Canada, we said, okay, it's more safe place. And when the fire happened, that was a heartbreak for us because we knew nowhere is safe."

The police are still looking for anyone with doorbell, dash cam or video surveillance footage of the Donald Street and St. Laurent Boulevard area between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on May 2.

Anyone with information and who has not already spoken to police is asked to contact the Arson Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 2202.

--With files from CTV News Ottawa's Jackie Perez.