NEWS RELEASE
NIAGARA REGIONAL POLICE SERVICE
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On March 8 at approximately 7:00 a.m. members of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) assigned to 5 District (Fort Erie/Ridgeway) responded to the area of Allen Trail and Whispering Woods Trail in the town of Fort Erie for a fire related call for service.
Once on scene, officers observed a row of town homes under construction fully engulfed in flames. The Fort Erie Fire Department began efforts to extinguish the fire, while officers secured a perimeter.
Investigation revealed that shortly after smoke was seen billowing from the townhomes two males were observed exiting the structure. Officer’s were able to locate the two males a short distance away and place them under arrest.
Michael Magin, 36, of Fort Erie faces charges of break and enter to commit mischief over $5,000 and fail to comply with probation order.
Jason Batt, 45, of St. Catharines faces a charge of break and enter to commit mischief over $5,000.
There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire. The preliminary damage estimate was assessed at $400,000, however, this number is subject to change.
Magin and Batt were released on Form 10 – undertaking’s and are expected to appear at court on April 11 at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse located at 59 Church Street in the City of St. Catharines.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the investigating officers by calling 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009700.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.
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