ARREST MADE FOLLOWING BREAK AND ENTER AND ARSON INVESTIGATION AT FORT FRANCIS BUSINESS
(FORT FRANCES, ON) - The Rainy River District Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested an individual following a structural fire at a local business in Fort Frances.
On Thursday, December 18, 2025, at approximately 11:00 pm CST, members of the Fort Frances OPP and the Fort Frances Fire and Rescue Services responded to a report of a commercial alarm. Upon arrival, flames and smoke could be seen coming from a building located in the 1000 block of Kings Highway.
The fire was successfully extinguished. Police confirmed there were no occupants in the building and no injuries have been reported.
As a result of the investigation, a 15-year-old youth from Fort Frances has been charged under the Criminal Code with:
- Arson - damage to property
- Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose
- Break and enter
- Uttering threats - cause death or bodily harm
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 - 2 counts
- Fail to comply with probation order
- Mischief - destroy or damages property
The accused, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Fort Frances on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Members of the Fort Frances Crime Unit continue to investigate alongside the Office of the Fire Marshal.