CORNWALL – A Cornwall man is facing 19 charges, including five counts of arson, after police say a home in the area of Leduc Circle was deliberately set on fire earlier this month.
Cornwall police and firefighters were at the home in the area of Leduc Circle, Paul Street and Twelfth Street around 5 a.m on July 9.
There’s been an ongoing investigation since that time between CPS, the OPP, the Ontario Fire Marshal and the Cornwall Fire Department.
Police say someone known to the family went to the home, damaged a vehicle and set fire to the home, also using “an explosive device.”
Resident Sara Poitras told Cornwall Newswatch four windows were smashed out of her truck and then the culprit smashed a basement window before throwing a pipe bomb inside while her family was sleeping. She also recounted the harrowing ordeal on social media.
No one was injured, police say. They not able to confirm specific details because it’s an open investigation and before the courts.
Police initially arrested 38-year-old Marc Fournier on the same day of the fire and he was charged with two counts of arson and one count of mischief.
Based on the investigation, police announced today (July 28) an additional 16 charges including three more counts of arson, several explosives charges and six counts of breach of probation.
Officers went to the Ottawa Carleton Detention Center yesterday (July 27) to inform Fournier of the additional charges.
He is still behind bars awaiting a bail hearing.