Key Takeaways
- Barrie Police say a fire at a Maple Avenue housing facility around 8:30 a.m. on November 8 forced more than 40 people to evacuate, hospitalized four people with non-life-threatenin
- A 44-year-old woman, not named in the release, is charged with arson – disregard for human life and failure to comply with a probation order.
- The investigation remains ongoing.
More Than 40 People Forced Out as Fire Tears Through Barrie Housing Facility
A Sunday morning fire in Barrie forced more than 40 people out of their homes, sent four people to hospital and has now led to an arson charge.
Barrie Police say officers were called at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, to a structure fire at a housing facility on Maple Avenue.
The consequences were immediate: more than 40 people had to evacuate, four were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, and dozens were displaced because of smoke and fire damage.
A 44-Year-Old Woman Faces Two Charges
Police have charged a 44-year-old woman, who is not named in the police release.
Investigators believe she intentionally set the fire.
She faces two charges:
- Arson – disregard for human life
- Failure to comply with a probation order
Police have not identified the housing facility or provided a street number.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the charges have not been proven in court.
The Twikup Take
More than 40 people were forced from their homes, and dozens now face displacement because of one fire. The four hospitalizations were non-life-threatening — a fortunate outcome given the circumstances.
When a fire breaks out in an occupied housing facility, the consequences extend far beyond the building itself.
Image: Barrie Police attend a structure fire on Maple Avenue on Nov. 8, 2026. Photo: Barrie Police Service.