Ottawa police investigating attempted arson in Centretown high-rise
Ottawa police are asking for the public's help identifying two people in connection with an arson investigation in a Centretown high-rise.
In a news release, police said the incident occurred in the early morning hours Sunday at a building on Lisgar Street near Metcalfe Street. Two people were pictured, and police said at least one of them attempted to start a fire in the building.
"The fire caused minor damage but thankfully, no injuries occurred," police wrote.
Photos shared by police show two individuals, described by police as "persons of interest." Both appear to be white men. One was wearing a dark, puffy jacket over a red sweater and dark pants. He had dark-coloured, possibly purple hair and was clean-shaven. He was not wearing a face covering. The second individual was wearing a dark jacket and blue gloves. He was bald and had a beard. One photo shows him with a face mask hanging off of one ear.
Residents of the building tell CTV News Ottawa they found fire starter bricks in the lobby. The front doors were also forced closed and sealed with tape.
"It could’ve gone so wrong and so many people would’ve been hurt or died, so we’re all really shaken up, but we’re sticking together," said building resident Matias Muñoz.
Muñoz said a bystander saw the flames and was able to get the door open and extinguish the fire before it became too dangerous.
"The bystander outside who saw the flames came in and was able to unhinge that door, even though it was tied up, and was able to come in and extinguish it was incredible," he said. "Whoever he is, we’re very thankful. If that wood panelling in the lobby had caught fire it wouldn’t have taken long for the whole building to go up."
Living in Centretown during the ongoing demonstration has brought many people to their limits, he added.
Matias Munoz stands outside his apartment on Lisgar Street, where police are investigating what appears to be an attempt to start a fire in the building’s lobby, in Ottawa, on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. Tenants say they have been besieged by anti-vaccine mandate protesters raging in the national capital for more than a week. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Matias Munoz stands outside his apartment on Lisgar Street, where police are investigating what appears to be an attempt to start a fire in the building’s lobby, in Ottawa, on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022. Tenants say they have been besieged by anti-vaccine mandate protesters raging in the national capital for more than a week. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
"We feel terrorized. It’s scary, there’s been widespread harassment and abuse hurled at members of the community, especially marginalized folks. We’re exhausted and scared, there’s like a dark cloud hanging over us. We hope that police can step up enforcement and protect our community."
Another resident of the high-rise told CTV News Ottawa many people in the building are scared.
"Taping the door shut, setting the fire in the place where everybody would go to try to get out, is terrorism. There’s no other word."
The building is in what police call the "red zone" of the "Freedom Convoy" demonstration. At this time, there is nothing linking the incident to the ongoing demonstration, now in its 11th day.
Anyone with information on either the incident or the identity of the individuals pictured is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Arson unit at 613-236-1222 extension 4587 or 3771 or leave an email at arson@ottawapolice.ca
Information can also be submitted anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477, or by visiting www.crimestoppers.ca.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Her SUV was stolen in Montreal. A Good Samaritan on Facebook helped her get it back
Just as she had feared, a restaurant owner from eastern Quebec who visited Montreal had her SUV stolen, but says it was all thanks to the kindness of strangers on the internet — not the police — that she got it back.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.