Fire destroys Lennox Agricultural Memorial Community Centre, Napanee's 'Old Arena' - Photo by Emily Chatwood/myFM News
There are now charges in two arson cases in Napanee.
Forty-nine year-old Jay Nelson Bradley has been charged in connection to the suspicious fires in the Napanee area that brought the beloved ‘Old Arena’ to the ground.
Until recently, Bradley operated a roller-rink at the site. He was evicted from the site after a dispute with the property managers.
The Lennox and Addington OPP say they conducted search warrants at three locations in the City of Kingston on November 3rd. As a result, Bradley was charged with:
- Two counts of Arson – Disregard for Human Life,
- Criminal Harassment – Threatening Conduct; and
- Possession of Incendiary Material.
Bradley has been held for a bail hearing and will be scheduled to appear in Court in Napanee at a later date.
It was back on October 23rd, that L&A OPP responded to suspicious fires at the Community Centre on York Street and a garage fire in Stone Mills Township.
Secretary for the Lennox Agricultural Society, operators of the Napanee Fairgrounds property on York Street, Carol McKinley, told society members in an email Friday night that her home had been targeted by the alleged arsonist.
She confirmed the Jay Nelson Bradly was the same one who operated the rink, and also confirmed that he had allegedly threatened her.
L&A County OPP along with the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshall continue to investigate.
Written by Emily Chatwood with files from Bob Perreault