In the quiet hours before dawn, a fire on a rooftop in Ottawa's ByWard Market became the occasion for a swift reckoning — a reminder that the line between recklessness and endangerment is one the law takes seriously. Michael Snegirov, 30, was arrested within minutes of the blaze being reported, still present at the scene as firefighters arrived. The charges laid against him — arson endangering life and arson by negligence — speak to both the act and its potential consequences, leaving the fuller story to be told in court.
Ottawa police charge man with arson after ByWard Market fire
arrested without incident at approximately 6:10 a.m.
Mark
Why would someone set a fire on a commercial building roof at that hour?
Mimi
That's the question the court will try to answer. The charges suggest intent or recklessness, but the motive isn't clear from what we know yet.
Mark
How did police respond so fast?
Mimi
The fire was reported before 6 a.m., and Snegirov was arrested by 6:10. He was apparently still at the scene when they arrived—that's the critical detail.
Mark
Does the fact that he was arrested without incident tell us anything?
Mimi
It suggests he didn't resist or pose an immediate threat to officers. It's a small detail, but it shapes how the story unfolds from a public safety perspective.
Mark
What's the difference between the two charges?
Mimi
Arson endangering life means the fire threatened people. Arson by negligence suggests carelessness rather than deliberate intent. Together, they give the Crown options depending on what evidence emerges.
Mark
What happens next?
Mimi
The court appearance is the first real test. That's where the evidence gets examined, where Snegirov can respond, and where the legal process actually begins.
The Pulse
- A rooftop fire erupted in the heart of Ottawa's ByWard Market before 6 a.m. Thursday, sending firefighters and police rushing to Rideau Street.
- The suspect was found at the scene and taken into custody without resistance just minutes after the alarm was raised — an unusually swift arrest.
- Michael Snegirov faces two distinct charges: one alleging the fire put lives at direct risk, the other pointing to reckless disregard for how it was set.
- A same-day court appearance was scheduled, signalling that investigators felt confident in the grounds for prosecution.
- The full picture — how the fire started, what evidence sealed the arrest — remains under investigation, with the courtroom now the arena where consequences will be decided.
In the quiet hours before dawn, a fire on a rooftop in Ottawa's ByWard Market became the occasion for a swift reckoning — a reminder that the line between recklessness and endangerment is one the law takes seriously. Michael Snegirov, 30, was arrested within minutes of the blaze being reported, still present at the scene as firefighters arrived. The charges laid against him — arson endangering life and arson by negligence — speak to both the act and its potential consequences, leaving the fuller story to be told in court.
Before dawn on a Thursday morning, a fire broke out on the roof of a commercial building on Rideau Street in Ottawa's ByWard Market. Emergency responders arrived quickly to find a man already present at the scene. Michael Snegirov, 30, was taken into custody without incident at around 6:10 a.m., only minutes after the fire was first reported.
Ottawa police charged Snegirov with two counts: arson endangering life and arson by negligence. The first charge reflects the fire's potential threat to human safety; the second speaks to the manner in which it was allegedly set. He was scheduled to appear in court the same day.
The speed of the arrest and the suspect's presence at the scene suggest investigators moved with confidence. Still, the deeper details of how the fire ignited and what evidence guided police remain part of an ongoing investigation — one whose conclusions will ultimately rest with the courts.
Before dawn on Thursday, fire broke out on the roof of a commercial building in the 100 block of Rideau Street, in the heart of Ottawa's ByWard Market. Firefighters and police arrived quickly to find the suspect already on scene. Michael Snegirov, a 30-year-old man, was arrested without resistance at approximately 6:10 a.m., just minutes after the fire was first reported.
The Ottawa Police Service laid two charges against Snegirov: arson endangering life and arson by negligence. Both charges carry serious weight in the criminal code—the first suggests the fire posed direct risk to human life, while the second indicates recklessness in how the fire was set. He was scheduled to appear in court the same day to face these allegations.
The speed of the arrest and the proximity of the suspect to the scene suggest investigators had a clear picture of what occurred in those early morning hours. The charges filed indicate police believed they had sufficient grounds to proceed, though the full details of how the fire started and what evidence led to Snegirov's arrest remain part of the ongoing investigation. What unfolds in court will determine whether the charges stick and what consequences follow.
Notable Quotes
Firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene where they found the suspect, Michael Snegirov, and arrested him without incident at approximately 6:10 a.m.— Ottawa Police Service media release
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Crime & Justice