Ottawa police charge two youths in fatal Booth Street fire

The charges include manslaughter, assault causing bodily harm and possession of incendiary material.

Published Aug 09, 2023 • Last updated 15 minutes ago • 1 minute read

The body of Hussein Hamam, 17, was found after a July 19 fire in the building at 384 Booth St. Photo by Julie Oliver /Postmedia

Two Ottawa youths were scheduled to appear in court Wednesday after being charged in connection with the Booth Street fire that killed 17-year-old Hussein Hamam last month.

Ottawa police homicide detectives arrested and charged the two young people, who cannot be named because of restrictions imposed by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

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They both face charges of manslaughter, assault causing bodily harm and possession of incendiary material.

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In late July, police released photos of a red gasoline jerry can and the label from another gas container, which were allegedly connected to the July 19 fire at 384 Booth St., between Willow Street and Balsam Street. The police asked for public help in finding anyone who filled two such gas containers on or before the day of the arson.

The Booth Street building had an office on the ground floor and an apartment above that office.

Hamam’s body was discovered in the wreckage of the building.