Barrie Police officers arrested and charged a 59-year-old woman less than an hour after a suspicious fire in the basement of a residence on Essa Road.
Emergency crews responded just after 4 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2026, to reports of a structure fire at an address located between Burton Avenue and Innisfil Street.
The two occupants escaped the residence unharmed. The basement sustained moderate damage. Fire officials subsequently advised police the fire appeared to have been intentionally set.
An officer who had noticed a vehicle outside the address at the time of the fire then located the registered owner. The officer attended a residence in the area of Essa Road and Loggers Run where the woman answered the door with what appeared to be significant burn injuries to her hands.
She was taken into custody at 4:45 a.m. and transported to a local hospital for medical attention. Following her release from the hospital, she was brought to Barrie Police Headquarters and held for a bail hearing.
The accused is charged with:
- Arson – Damage to Property
- Arson – Disregard for Human Life (x2)
The Ontario Fire Marshal was notified about the suspected arson but is not attending.
The Barrie Police Criminal Investigation Unit is continuing to investigate.
BA26031565