Woman charged with arson after fire breaks out in Fort Erie

A local resident is facing charges after a fire broke out on Saturday evening (Apr. 16) in Fort Erie.

At around 11:30 p.m., Niagara police officers and the Fort Erie Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the area of Bertie Street and Central Avenue.

No injuries were reported in the fire.

“As the Fort Erie Fire Department worked to control the fire and extinguish the flame, 5 District officers began investigating reports of a female suspect seen leaving the scene carrying a gas can,” said police.

The suspect was soon after located and arrested.

55 year old Fort Erie woman Heather Van Rossum is charged with Arson with disregard for human life and Fail to comply with Undertaking.

She was held in custody and scheduled to attend a bail hearing via video link to the John Sopinka Courthouse today (Apr. 17).

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.