A man who was arrested and charged following a series of arsons in Norfolk County and Haldimand County has been sentenced to house arrest. Firefighters responded to 11 structure fires between November 2024 and January 2025. Some of the fires happened within hours of each other and involved vacant homes and barns, and, in at least one instance, a gas station that included residential units. No injures were reported. Chad Reimer, a man from Port Rowan, was one of two people arrested near a suspicious vacant barn fire in Haldimand County in January 2025. He was charged with 11 counts of arson involving property damage. “It goes without saying that the community in Norfolk was justifiably concerned about an arsonist on the loose,” Justice Gethin Edward said as Reimer appeared in a court in Simcoe for sentencing on Monday. Reimer previously pleaded guilty to two counts of arson and one count of operating a vehicle while over the legal limit. Justice Edward said Reimer drove his red pickup truck to the fires. “He, being Mr. Reimer, did not start the fires, but still clearly was a party to the offence and, as such, just as culpable,” Justice Edward said. Someone found guilty of arson can face up to 14 years behind bars, but in this case, Edward handed Reimer a house arrest sentence of two years less a day. He said Reimer has “significant cognitive impairments” that jails and prisons are not equipped to handle. However, his mother is prepared to advocate for him and is familiar with his challenges. Edward noted Reimer has already been under very similar conditions for 19 months while on bail. Reimer also faces a two-year driving prohibition and Edwards ordered that his 2010 truck be forfeited for destruction or sale. His co-accused in the arsons, Matthew Smith, is due in court on Aug. 17. With files from CTV News’ Fiona Robertson and Gerry Dewan
