A 25-year-old Gatineau woman has been charged with the New Year's Day fire at the Radisson hotel that forced large evacuations and hospitalized several people.
Melissa White appeared in court early Sunday morning after being charged with two counts of arson causing bodily harm, and one count each of arson endangering life and arson causing property damage. She was remanded into custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre.
White was also charged with assaulting a police officer after being arrested Saturday in Gatineau, said Sgt. Mark Myers of the Ottawa police.
The initial investigation inside the hotel at 402 Queen St. uncovered an incendiary device and gas can. The second floor became engulfed in smoke when fire crews arrived shortly after 8 a.m. Thursday.
The fire caused about $1 million in damages. Some guests broke windows to get out of the building, and three people remain in hospital.
A 30-year-old woman suffered second-degree burns to 15 per cent of her body, and a 26-year-old man suffered both first- and second-degree burns.
More than 100 hotel guests, including foreign hockey teams competing in the Bell Capital Cup, had to be evacuated.
Police are continuing their investigation, and would not release details on a potential motive for the fire.
