St. Catharines man charged after multiple garbage fires downtown: police

Niagara police have charged a 21-year-old man with multiple counts of arson following a series of fires.

Officers responded to reports of several fires in garbage bins in downtown St. Catharines around 2 a.m. Friday.

Emergency crews were able to put out the fires on Centre, Davidson, King, Niagara and Queenston streets.

Police said no injuries or structure damage were reported.

Investigators in the area of Queenston St. near Geneva St. saw a man holding a lighter and a butane torch. When questioned, the man took off on a bicycle and police chased after him.

Tyler McKelvey of St. Catharines was then arrested and charged with five counts of arson – damage of property.

McKelvey was held in custody for a video bail hearing Friday.

Niagara police said they are also investigating three dumpster fires that happened early Thursday morning in St. Catharines. No one was injured as a result of these fires.

Anyone with information about the recent fires is asked to contact detectives at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009504.