Second murder charge in fire

Worker at Oakwoodarea youth group home dies of injuries from Friday’s arson fire

A second second-degree murder charge has been laid against a youth in Friday afternoon’s fire at a group home for teens near Oakwood after an employee of the group home died of her injuries.

The youth, who is in custody, is now facing two counts of second-degree murder as well as arson causing bodily harm, City of Kawartha Lakes OPP said Monday afternoon.

The youth cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and police have not released the age or gender of the accused.

The fire at the group home in a rural area at 725 Quaker Rd. also killed an occupant of the group home and injured another worker at the facility.

The name of the youth who perished cannot be released under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act and police have also not released the age or gender of the victim.

An investigation by the City of Kawartha Lakes OPP crime unit, under the direction of Det. Insp. Dave Robinson of the OPP criminal investigation branch, is continuing.

The fire broke out around 4 p.m. Friday, according to the City of Kawartha Lakes fire department, and OPP were called to the scene around 4:30 p.m.

Police said the fire broke out during a disturbance at the group home.

The youth home is northwest of Oakwood and about 58 kilometres west of Peterborough.

City of Kawartha Lakes Mayor Andy Letham issued a statement Friday night commending the municipality’s firefighters and paramedics for their “valient efforts” in responding to the blaze.

On Monday afternoon, Haliburton-Kawartha LakesBrock Progressive Conservative MPP Laurie Scott also reacted.

“I would like to extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by Friday’s tragic fire at the group home in Oakwood, in particular to the families and friends of the victims who died,” Scott stated.

“I have been in regular contact with the Minister of Children and Youth Services, Michael Coteau, who expressed his sympathies and has assured me of his ministry’s commitment to supporting our community at this difficult time. Please know that I will continue to communicate with government officials as our community works to recover from this terrible event.

“Thank you to the first responders including local firefighters, paramedics, as well as the Ontario Provincial Police for their quick response.”

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services issued a statement on Monday that “what happened at Connor Homes was devastating” and that the ministry says it is “closely monitoring the situation,” CBC reported.

The group home is operated by Connor Homes.

Quaker Road between White Rock Road and Eldon Road remained closed to through traffic on Monday for the investigation.