A 20-year-old man faces arson and assault-related charges in connection with a house fire in Sarnia Wednesday afternoon.
The Sarnia police Criminal Investigation Branch launched an investigation into a blaze in the 100 block of College Avenue South.
Sarnia Fire and Rescue responded to a structure fire at around 2:45 p.m., quickly brought the fire under control, and the Ontario Fire Marshal was called in to try to determine the cause.
It was determined the fire was deliberately set and a suspect was arrested by patrol officers at around 9 p.m. Wednesday. Police said further investigation indicated someone at the residence had allegedly been assaulted and was able to flee and get medical treatment before the fire started.
Police said the suspect and victim are related to each other and the name of the accused has not been released. Charges include arson, two counts of uttering threats to cause bodily harm, assault causing bodily harm, assault causing bodily harm by choking, suffocating or strangling and breach of recognizance.
The accused was being held pending a bail hearing.
The fire scene has since been cleared by police and fire.