After charging a woman in connection to a fire at an apartment complex in Chatham, police are now seeking a man who's wanted for Arson-Disregard for Human Life.
Police say 48-year-old Leonard Greason from Chatham, who's also known to frequent London, is now on the Chatham-Kent Most Wanted List.
Residents are asked to not approach or interact with him, as he's considered dangerous, and members of the public have no authority to detain him.
Anyone who knows of Greason's whereabouts is asked to call Chatham-Kent Police at 519-352-1234, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Shortly before 6 a.m. last Sunday, emergency crews were called to 99 McNaughton Avenue East.
Officials say of the apartment complex’s 120 units, 90 are affected at the municipally owned building.
The Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue Services, Ontario Fire Marshalls Office and Chatham-Kent Police Criminal Investigation Branch have been actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire.
As a result, a 30-year-old Chatham woman has been arrested and charged with arson, disregarding human life.
She was transported to police headquarters and held pending a bail hearing.
The investigation is on-going.
The municipality is accepting donations for those affected by the fire.
Donation items can include adult clothing for men and women, hygiene products and food items.
Many of the displaced residents are temporarily staying in hotel rooms and are not able to cook food. Non-perishable food items would be appreciated, such as peanut butter, fruit cups, apple sauce cups, crackers, cereal bars, granola bars, cereal, juice boxes, tea bags, instant coffee, sugar, and powdered creamer. Furniture items are currently not being accepted.
Officials say resident re-entry will likely be a phased process.
At present, it is estimated that getting residents back into the building will take at least several months, with an exact timeline remaining uncertain until the investigative work is completed to determine the scope of work required for each section of the building to be safe and compliant for occupancy of residents.
There is currently no power to the building, and significant work must be done to repair life safety systems such as fire alarms and hot water.
There has been severe fire damage to the mechanical room, as well as some parts of the building, while other sections have been damaged to a lesser extent by water and smoke.
Anyone wishing to donate can learn more here: https://www.letstalkchatham-kent.ca/99-mcnaughton.