A blaze ripped through a historic building on Deseronto’s Main Street on the evening of Sept. 8, 2025. /Emily Chatwood/MBC
Two youths are facing arson charges after a historic building on Deseronto’s Main Street was engulfed in flames earlier this week.
In a Lennox and Addington County OPP update issued Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, police confirmed criminal charges were laid.
According to OPP, emergency crews responded Monday, Sept. 8, 2025, shortly after 6 p.m., to a report of a commercial structure fire on Main Street in Deseronto.
“Police arrived on scene to find the former Canada Optical and flea market building completely engulfed in flames,” said OPP.
Police said the investigation has led to two youths – who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act – jointly charged with arson – damage to property, break, enter a place – with intent to commit an indictable offence, and mischief – destroys and damages property.
None of these charges have been proven in court.
Both of the accused were released from custody and will appear in court at a later date, reported OPP.
According to MBC’s sister publication NapaneeToday.ca, the building has been part of the town for decades and once housed Rathbun Lumber drying kilns, the Dominion Match Company, a meat plant and cheese factory, in addition to the optical eyewear location. Most recently, it was an indoor flea market and storage facility.
