Man in custody after suspicious fire at former Oakville church

A man is in custody following a suspicious fire at an empty church in Oakville late Monday morning.

Emergency crews responded to a report of a fire around 11:30 a.m. at the former church located at 320 Bronte Rd., just north of Rebecca Street.

Halton police say the flames burned through the roof, causing a partial collapse of the building that was sold for redevelopment.

Fire Chief Paul Boissonneault says no one was injured as a result of the blaze.

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He says witnesses reported seeing one person leaving the building shortly before the fire broke out.

Police quickly found the man near the scene and took him into custody on suspicion of arson.

Officers say it’s too early in the investigation to determine if charges will be laid.

Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal has been notified.

A portion of Bronte Road was closed as crews worked to extinguish the fire, but the area has since reopened.

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