A Wasaga Beach woman has been charged with arson nearly seven months after a fire caused roughly $2 million in damage to a historic motel near the town’s beachfront. Huronia West police say the 58-year-old was arrested Tuesday after an investigation into the March 9 fire at Villa Nova Motel on Mosley Street. The woman has been charged with arson, disregard for human life and failure to comply with an undertaking. Emergency crews were called to the blaze in Beach 1 area shortly before midnight. At the time, fire officials said a large portion of the second floor had been destroyed and the building was believed to be uninhabitable. Four people inside the motel evacuated safely and no injuries were reported. OPP officers and paramedics took multiple pets from the building during the early stages of evacuation. Back in March, officials said it was too early to determine the cause and the Office of the Fire Marshal was notified due to the extent of the damage. The accused is now scheduled to appear in a Collingwood courtroom on Tues., Oct. 27.
