At 1:50pm, a patrol officer observed a plume of black smoke from within Howard Watson Trail area, between Confederation Street and Wellington Street in the City of Sarnia. Officers investigated on foot and located a large fire at an encampment with a single male occupant. The fire was being fed by a large amount of wood, plastic, and rubber, and had started to char nearby trees. Investigation revealed the male had been attempting to burn insulation off copper wire in order to salvage the copper for currency. This process caused other nearby combustibles to ignite and the fire to spread.
The Sarnia Fire Department attended to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from expanding further. At the time of this incident the male was subject to a probation order.
A 48 year old from Sarnia was placed under arrest and held for bail on the following charges:
- Breach of Probation CC733.1(1)
- Arson to Property CC 434
- Open Air Burn Sarnia Bylaw 91 of 2001 section 2.2(b)
