MULTIPLE ARSONS 25-54140

MULTIPLE ARSONS
London man facing charges

LONDON, ON (June 5, 2025) – Members of the London Police Service Street Crime Unit recently laid charges in relation to three arsons on Hamilton Road.

On Sunday, June 1, 2025, at approximately 1 p.m., a man attended the rear parking lot of a business in the 400-block of Hamilton Road and began gathering pieces of wood, piling them behind a nearby dumpster. The man (suspect) ignited the wood and placed a wooden pallet on top of the active fire. He departed the area a short time later.

The fire spread to a wooden fence located along the south side of the parking lot, as well as to a shed on a neighbouring property. Multiple 9-1-1 calls were made, and members of the London Fire Department attended the address and extinguished the fire.

The entire incident was captured on video surveillance and police commenced an investigation.

On June 3, 2025, at approximately 6:30 a.m., the suspect returned to the Hamilton Road address and started another fire at the rear of the dumpster with pallets and other debris. A witness contacted police after the suspect left the area and members of the London Fire Department attended and extinguished the fire.

The investigations were reassigned to members of the LPS Street Crime Unit.

On June 3, 2025, at approximately 7 p.m., the suspect male was observed at a place of worship in the 600-block of Hamilton Road, where he started another fire outside. Several citizens called 9-1-1 and emergency services attended. A description of the suspect was provided to police, and the fire was extinguished by members of the London Fire Department.

The total damages are estimated at approximately $3000.

There were no reported injuries.

At approximately 7:40 p.m., the suspect was located and arrested in the area of Egerton and Trafalgar streets.

Investigators determined that the same suspect was responsible for all three reported incidents.

Kenneth Darren Simpson, 28, of London, has been charged with the following offences:

• Three (3) counts of arson causing damage to property; and
• Breach of probation.

The accused remains in custody and is expected to reappear in London court tomorrow in relation to the charges.

Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Information can also be sent in online anonymously to London Middlesex Crime Stoppers.  

For media inquiries, contact:

Sgt. Sandasha Bough
Media Relations Officer
C. 519-854-8576
Email. Media Officer

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