Three 14-year-olds from the Milton area have been charged with arson after a fire at an abandoned building at 700 Main Street East forced residents of a nearby condo out of their homes, Halton Regional Police say.
Police and firefighters were called around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, after smoke and flames were seen at the empty building. Because the condo sits so close by, its residents were evacuated. Firefighters eventually contained the fire and put it out, and its origin is considered suspicious. No serious injuries were reported.
Detectives from the force's 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau took over the case and identified the three suspects. Each of the teens faces one count of break and enter and one count of arson. None of the charges has been tested in court.
The teens can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the federal law that sets out how young people accused of crimes are handled and protects their identities.
Police are asking anyone with information about the fire to call the bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416.
