Summerside Arson: Two Charged Following Devastating Weekend Blaze

Summerside, P.E.I. is grappling with the aftermath of a dramatic weekend fire that has led to two significant arrests. A 28-year-old man, Matthew David Allen, and a 37-year-old woman, Jennifer Lee Arsenault, are now facing serious charges in connection with a suspicious structure fire that ravaged a residence on Ryan Street in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The alarm was raised around 5:10 a.m.

on June 15th, when Summerside Police, Fire Department, and Island EMS swiftly responded to reports of a structure engulfed in flames. Upon their arrival, first responders were met with a harrowing scene: the home was fully ablaze, its structure already succumbing to the intense heat. Fire crews worked tirelessly to bring the inferno under control, preventing further spread in the quiet residential area.

Thankfully, initial reports confirmed that no one was inside the residence at the time of the fire, and no injuries were sustained by residents or emergency personnel.

This provided a small measure of relief amidst the devastation, yet the cause of the fire immediately raised red flags for investigators. The circumstances surrounding the blaze quickly led authorities to deem it suspicious, prompting a thorough and rigorous investigation.

Summerside Police Major Crime Unit, working diligently, gathered evidence and pursued leads that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of Allen and Arsenault.

Both individuals have been charged with arson, a grave offense that carries significant penalties. Additionally, they face charges of possession of property obtained by crime, suggesting a potential broader criminal context to the incident.

Further compounding the legal troubles for Matthew David Allen, he has also been charged with breach of probation, indicating prior engagements with the justice system.

Following their arrests, both Allen and Arsenault made an initial court appearance on Monday, where they were subsequently remanded into custody. They are scheduled for a further court appearance on June 27th, as the legal process unfolds.

As the investigation continues, Summerside Police are appealing to the community for assistance.

They urge anyone with information related to the fire, or those who may possess security camera footage from the vicinity of Ryan Street during the early morning hours of June 15th, to come forward. Information can be shared directly with the Summerside Police Department, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers, helping ensure that all aspects of this serious incident are brought to light.