PEI

Arson charges laid after weekend Norwood Road fire

The Charlottetown fire inspector says an unoccupied home was destroyed during a weekend fire and the cause is still under investigation.

Charlottetown Fire Department battled the blaze for 2 hours Saturday evening

Firefighters responded to the fire at 200 Norwood Rd. before midnight Saturday. (Submitted by Sarah MacLeod)

Charlottetown police say two people have been charged with arson following a fire that destroyed an unoccupied home Saturday evening.

The Charlottetown Fire Department and Charlottetown Police were called to a blaze at 200 Norwood Road before midnight Saturday evening. No one was in the home at the time.

"The fire took such a hold on the initial ignition of the fire and vented itself in the early stages and the fire took total control," said Charlottetown fire inspector Winston Bryan.

"We went into a defensive mode just to keep the fire and try to save the structure as much as we could, but, again, it was total involvement — total loss."

Firefighters had the situation under control around 2 a.m. On Sunday afternoon, no visible remnants of the structure remained.

Piles of rubble remained on Sunday afternoon where the house once stood. (Nicola MacLeod/CBC)

In a release posted late Monday afternoon, police said a 25-year-old male and 23-year-old female were charged with arson as a result of the fire. Both have been released from custody with conditions.

"The home was vacant for a period of time, but a lot of family heirlooms were still in the home. A lot of antiques were lost, a lot of personal belongings … were lost in the fire," Bryan said.

The two accused are scheduled to appear in provincial court April 26.

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With files from Angela Walker