Two youths have been charged with arson in the Horizon Plastics Co. Ltd. fire in Cobourg, Ontario.
Cobourg Police Sargent Terry Demill confirmed that a 12-year-old and a teenager were to appear in court for a bail hearing April 29. He said he could provide no further details except the charges stem from a joint investigation by the town's police department, Ontario Provincial Police and the Cobourg Fire Department.
Structural foam molder Horizon resumed partial production within 24 hours of the blaze, which began midafternoon April 25.
The fire struck an outdoor holding area and burned finished products, said Mike Springer, Horizon vice president of sales. The exterior of a 50,000-square-foot addition also appeared to be damaged. The operation's 19 structural foam molding machines appeared to be intact. No plant personnel or firefighters were hurt in the blaze.
More than 100 firefighters from 14 detachments battled the fire. Local officials evacuated hundreds of residents near the fire because of fears about toxic smoke, but the resident were allowed to return home that night after the fire was doused.
Springer said Horizon's machines have the capacity and flexibility to replace any production consumed by the fire.
Horizon is a pioneer in structural foam molding and has won numerous awards for its work. Its 300,000-square-foot plant in Cobourg is 60 miles east of Toronto.