Peel police have charged a Brampton man with first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder after a fatal house fire in the city’s west end.
They say a blaze broke out on Martindale Crescent around 4 a.m. on Friday.
Five people had made it out of the home, which was fully engulfed, by the time emergency crews arrived. A woman was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries, while a 71-year-old man and three kids under 12 weren’t hurt.
However, a woman, who investigators believe to be 61-years-old, was later found dead inside.
Following the discovery, police arrested Helder Vertentes-Arruda, 33, and laid the murder and attempted murder charges.
Officers say Verentes-Arruda, who was arrested at a different Brampton residence, is known to all six victims. Investigators did not immediately elaborate on his relationship to the victims.
Anyone with information is urged to call Peel police at 905-453-2121 ext. 3205 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
