A massive fire destroyed the historic Saint Simon Church on the Acadian Peninsula early Monday morning. Police charged a 68 year old local man with arson in connection to the blaze. According to CBC News, the wooden church was a total loss.

The Investigation

Firefighters arrived at the scene in the municipality of Caraquet around 4 a.m. on Monday. The building was unoccupied at the time. Caraquet fire Chief Luc Dugas told Radio Canada that a motion detection device picked up movement inside the church at 3:20 a.m. just before emergency responders received a 911 call. Following an investigation, the Office of the Fire Marshal determined someone intentionally set the fire.

Suspect Arrested

Police identified Gilles Mallet of Saint Simon as a person of interest early in their investigation. Officers arrested him later that same day. Mallet appeared in Bathurst provincial court on Monday to face an arson charge. The judge remanded him into custody. His bail hearing takes place on August 28.

How You Can Help

The RCMP wants to speak with anyone who was in the area during the time of the fire. You can contact the Caraquet RCMP or Crime Stoppers to share any information you have.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Saint Simon Church located?

The church is located in Saint Simon, a community within the municipality of Caraquet on the Acadian Peninsula.

Who was charged in the fire?

Police charged 68 year old Gilles Mallet of Saint Simon with arson.

Was anyone injured in the fire?

No. The building was unoccupied when the fire started.

When is the suspect’s next court date?

Gilles Mallet has a bail hearing scheduled for August 28.