UPDATE: Charges laid – Fire at Battersea general store under investigation

UPDATE (Jul. 24, 2021):

Charges have now been laid after a structure fire at the general store/apartment building on Battersea Road in Battersea which occurred around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jun. 22, 2021.

According to a release from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), the residential side of the building was on fire when officers arrived. Nearby residents alerted the occupants of the fire and were able to exit the building safely sustaining no injuries.

The Frontenac OPP have now charged Michael Garfield Ball, age 56 of Battersea, with the following offences:

• Arson – damage to property
• Arson – disregard for human life

Ball was released and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Kingston in July, 2021. 

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.

Original Article:

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) are requesting assistance in their investigation of a structure fire at the general store/apartment building on Battersea Road in Battersea.

Shortly after 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jun. 22, 2021, officers responded to the report of a fire at that location. According to a release from OPP, the residential side of the building was on fire. Nearby residents alerted the occupants of the fire and were able to exit the building safely sustaining no injuries.

OPP said South Frontenac Firefighters extinguished the fire while containing it to a small portion of the building.  

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office and the South Frontenac OPP and Crime Unit are continuing the investigation.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.