Andrew Lupton

A 20-year-old man has been charged with arson in connection with a fire that destroyed the Black Walnut café fire in Wortley Village on Sunday, London police say.

Black Walnut in Wortley Village destroyed by early morning fire

Smoke filled the air as seven fire crews battled a blaze at Black Walnut in Wortley Village Sunday morning. Owners, brother and sister Ed and Mandy Etheridge, stood by and watched as crews sprayed water on the bakery the family has owned and operated for 12 years.

Crews spray water on a smoke-filled Black Walnut in Wortley Village. Firefighters were called to the scene just before 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Fire Crews

The man has been&nbsp;charged with arson and disregard to human life.&nbsp;

A backhoe removes debris following a devastating fire at the Black Walnut café in London's Worley Village on Apr. 17, 2023.

A backhoe removed debris following a fire at Black Walnut café in London

The fire levelled the popular Old South café located at the corner of Wortley&nbsp;Road and Craig Street. Fire crews were called to the scene just after 1:30 a.m. ET.

Police described the fire as suspicious.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It left the heritage building badly damaged, and what remained of the structure was pulled down and removed by demolition crews on Monday.&nbsp;

Café&nbsp;owner Ed Etheridge, who was interviewed on 

 on Tuesday,&nbsp;told host Rebecca Zandbergen that he plans to rebuild the café&nbsp;as soon as possible.&nbsp;

You can listen to that interview here.&nbsp;

The post-fire future of a beloved Wortley Village landmark

Police have arrested a 20-year-old man with arson in connection with a fire that destroyed the Black Walnut café early Sunday. 

Arson charges laid in Black Walnut café fire

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