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.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW How car thefts are impacting your insurance, even if your car isn't stolen
As the number of auto theft incidents rises in Canada, so have insurance premiums for drivers, even the ones whose vehicles aren't stolen.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
opinion Trump's Republicans falling far behind in fundraising, infrastructure
In his latest column for CTVNews.ca, Washington political analyst Eric Ham explains how and why Republicans -- up and down the ballot -- are falling far behind Democrats in both fundraising and infrastructure.
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says US$18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
Minnesota beats Boston 3-0, wins inaugural Walter Cup as Professional Women's Hockey League champs
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.