Police have made a second arrest in connection with an “arson spree” in Owen Sound.

Investigators say a 24-year-old woman was arrested near the Owen Sound courthouse on Tuesday. This is the second arrest Owen Sound police has made in their arson investigation, after arresting a 17-year-old boy from Chatsworth late Monday night.

The teenager is charged with 16 counts of arson endangering life and five counts of arson.

“Our investigation indicates that we are seeking at least one additional suspect. Although we are making positive strides in our investigation there is still much work to be done,” said Insp. Vince Wurfel in a statement.

This comes after eight separate fires lit up the sky in Owen Sound early Monday morning, injuring 10 people and displacing countless others.

Owen Sound police and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office are treating eight different scenes as a criminal investigation. They are expected to remain on scene for the next several days.

Fire location breakdown

  • 944 2nd Avenue East, 2:45 a.m. - resident extinguishes two small fires in common areas of retail and residential apartment building, minimal damage
  • 393 15th Street East, 3:45 a.m. - residential fire, house totally destroyed and houses on each side significantly damage
  • 4th Avenue East just south of 15th Street East, 3:45 a.m. - fire at south end of townhouse complex, two structures consumed by fire, occupants assisted, vehicle in parking lot also attempted to be set on fire but minimal damage
  • 13th Street and 4th Avenue East, 4 a.m. - shed on property set on fire, spread to adjacent duplex, significant fire damage
  • 17th Street and 6th Avenue East, just after 4 a.m. - fire in residential shed, significant fire damage.
  • 4th Avenue East south of 13th Street East - arson attempt discovered at shed, fire appears to have extinguished on its own, no serious damage

In total 10 people were taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and have since been released. Several other residents have been displaced.

As a result of the fires the city has announced the following closures:

  • 12th Street East and 4th Avenue East
  • 13th Street East and 3rd Avenue East
  • 16th Street East and 6th Avenue East
  • 17th Street East and 4th Avenue East
  • 17th Street East and 3 Rc Avenue East

Residents can expect to see more officers on patrol in all areas of the city and police are asking people to report any suspicious activity.

Residents in need of assistance can contact the Red Cross at the Bayshore or contact 211Ontario.ca.