Brampton – Three Brampton youths have been arrested and charged in connection with a fire at a Main Street strip mall, which investigators believe was deliberately set.

 

On Thursday, May 15, 2008, at 6:14 pm, Peel Regional Police and Brampton Fire & Emergency Services responded to a working fire at the Brampton Mall, located at 160 Main Street South. The fire quickly spread through the basement units. All of the building’s occupants were successfully evacuated and no injuries were reported.

 

At approximately 8:00 pm, three Brampton males, ages 13, 14 and 15, were identified as having been responsible for breaking into the structure and setting the fire. They all face Breaking and Entering as well as Arson charges. They were all released into the custody of their parents, with court dates in June, 2008.

 

Preliminary reports estimate the structural damage and damage to product to be in excess of $1 Million. As a result of the fire, the entire strip mall is without electricity, resulting in all stores being closed. The stores which received the most extensive damage were “Movie Experts”, “Shoppers Drug Mart” and “Brampton Home Furnishing”.

 

The plaza will be closed over the next two to three days while engineers and city officials determine the extent of the structural damage caused by the fire.

 

The investigation is being conducted by members of the 22 Division Criminal Investigations Bureau. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is requested to contact (905) 453-2121 ext. 2233, or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

 

For additional information, please contact the on-duty Media Relations Officer at 905-453-2121 Ext: 4027.

Released by the Region of Peel Police on May 16, 2008 at 12:16