Police executed a search warrant at a Fergus home Monday afternoon – about four hours before a suspicious fire at the same address sent one person to hospital in critical condition.
The search warrant was executed at the Union Street home over the noon hour, said Det. Sgt. Paul Thompson of the OPP’s child sexual exploitation unit.
It was in connection with a child pornography investigation that began in Guelph last November.
Detectives working on the case identified a Fergus resident who they believed was making images of child sexual abuse available online.
Paul Curry, 71, was found inside the home and taken into custody.
“He was arrested for possession of child pornography, accessing child pornography and making child pornography available,” Thompson said in an interview.
Several items were seized from the home, including a computer that police will analyze to try and identify potential victims.
Around 4 p.m., firefighters were called to the same house for a report of a structure fire.
They arrived to find a van in the driveway, but no people inside.
Searching through the house, they learned that the home’s attic had been converted into a usable room.
A 65-year-old woman was inside that room, unconscious.
A firefighter took the woman out of the home, from where was taken to hospital. As of Wednesday evening, she remained in critical condition.
The firefighter who rescued the woman was also taken to hospital, to be treated for heat exhaustion. His condition had improved by Wednesday.
Police continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
Paul Curry remains in custody, as he has since his arrest early Monday afternoon.
