Guelph Police say they’ve arrested the man wanted in connection with a weekend arson that left one person in critical condition.
The 34-year-old man was allegedly seen running from the area of the Greengate Road fire with a red gas can in tow.
Monday morning, he turned himself in to police – who credited a large number of tips from the public with expediting the situation.
“We think (that) had a lot to do with this individual turning himself in,” said Const. Mike Gatto.
Two people were injured in the Saturday afternoon fire – 40-year-old Paula McGladrey, who was airlifted to a Hamilton hospital with serious burn injuries, and her son, a man in his 20s who was treated at a local hospital for minor injuries and later released.
Police say McGladrey remained in critical condition as of Monday morning.
A coworker of hers, Molly Mercier, said many who know McGladrey are baffled as to why she was allegedly the target of an arson.
“She’s one of the nicest ladies you’ve ever met,” she told CTV News.
The arrested man, Francesco Silveri, faces charges of arson causing bodily harm, possession of incendiary materials and uttering death threats.
He made a brief court appearance Monday and returns to court later this week.
The fire itself – which police say was a targeted act – remains under investigation.
