Man charged with arson after fire in McMaster residence building

A 20-year-old man has been charged with arson following a fire at a McMaster University residence on Saturday that led to student evacuations and an estimated $250K in damages. Police say that the 20-year-old “set fire to an individual room” in a unit at Bates Residence. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to the apartment and extinguish it quickly, but the blaze caused “heavy to moderate” smoke throughout the building. All residents self-evacuated and no injuries were reported. Most students were able to return to their units after the building was deemed safe on Saturday, though eight students have temporarily been relocated on campus. “That anyone would set a deliberate fire is deeply disturbing, especially in a student residence,” said McMaster Dean of Students Sean Van Koughnett.