Homeowner charged with conspiracy, arson in Fifth Avenue fire, explosion
Incident sent 1 person to hospital in critical condition
CBC News Posted: August 26, 2015
Winnipeg, Canada
Winnipeg police say they've made arrests in connection with Tuesday morning's fire and explosion on Fifth Avenue in St. Vital. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)
A homeowner and his partner are accused of conspiring to destroy his home in Winnipeg's Old St. Vital neighbourhood by hiring someone else to set it on fire, according to police.
Todd Vandal, 40, has been charged with conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and arson with disregard for human life in connection with Tuesday's house fire and explosion on Fifth Avenue.
A 32-year-old woman faces the same charges. Winnipeg police did not release her name but said she is in a "domestic relationship" with Vandal.
Investigators say they believe Vandal and the woman hired a 26-year-old man to enter the home, while they were not there, and start a fire inside. He was seriously injured in the blaze.
Emergency crews were called to a house near the intersection of Des Meurons Street and Fifth Avenue shortly after 5 a.m. Tuesday.
No one was found inside the house and most of the damage was confined to the basement, according to police.
Police spokesperson Const. Jason Michalyshen said as firefighters were extinguishing the blaze, emergency personnel learned that a man had been seen breaking into the home.
"While the individual was within the home and setting the fire, there was an explosion and a significant fire. His injuries are extensive," Michalyshen told reporters on Wednesday.
Police said the injured 26-year-old man was seen leaving the scene on a bike. He later met up with someone in the 100 block of Smith Street in the city's downtown.
"When he made contact with that individual, clearly he was in dire need of medical assistance," Michalyshen said.
The man was taken to hospital, where he remains in critical but stable condition as of Wednesday morning. Police did not release his name but said he had worked for Vandal in the past.
"His injuries are considered very serious. He's critical, but I understand stable condition," Michalyshen said. "No charges had been laid with respect to this individual at this time. His priority right now is medical care."
Michalyshen would not discuss possible motives for the fire.
Vandal remains in custody, while the woman has been released on a promise to appear in court.
Anyone with further information about the fire is asked to call investigators at 204-986-2857 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477). http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/homeowner-charged-with-conspiracy-arson-in-fifth-avenue-fire-explosion-1.3204423