Tenants still unable to return home after suspicious fire at public housing building

Two residents at a community housing complex in London are still unable to go home after a fire was allegedly set in one of the apartments on Monday morning.

Police said a 49-year old man has been charged with one count of arson with disregard to human life, and will be kept in in custody until his next court appearance on Thursday. The exact cause of the fire is still not known.

Just before 9 a.m. on Monday crews were called to 349 Wharncliffe Rd. N., for a fire coming from a third-floor unit, platoon chief Gary Mosburger said. That unit was destroyed and there was water and smoke damage to other parts of the building.

The eight-floor high-rise building, located just off Western Road, has 145 units and is owned by London Middlesex Community Housing (LMCH).

On Tuesday, spokesperson Matt Senechal said that two families still displaced are in the care of the Red Cross, and it's unknown when they'll be able to return.

Tenants reported seeing thick black smoke coming from the third storey apartment before the windows started to shatter from the heat.

About 50 people were evacuated from the building, and one person was treated for smoke inhalation. Police did not know if that individual is the same person accused of setting the fire.