Manslaughter charges for Oshawa man accused of arson after 78-year-old killed in house fire

An Oshawa man out on release conditions not to possess any “incendiary devices” has been charged with manslaughter after a 78-year-old man was killed in a house fire in Courtice in February.

Police were called to assist fire crews at a residential fire at Nash Road and Varcoe Road on the evening of Feb. 22, with crews arriving to find the home fully engulfed in flames.

Gerald Schad was found dead inside the home, with a post-mortem determining he died as a result of the fire.

On Wednesday, April 1, the accused allegedly used an improvised electronic ignition device to start a residential fire just down the street at Townline Road and Nash Road. The residence was occupied at the time but no occupants suffered any physical injuries.

Further investigation by the East Division Criminal Investigations Branch and Homicide Unit linked the accused, Matthew Bryce Shawn Jones, 23, to the Nash Road and Varcoe Road fire, which police allege he started.

Jones is charged with manslaughter, two counts of arson – disregard for human life, two counts of mischief, two counts of breach of probation and ‘prowl at night.’

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact the Det. Stewart of the Homicide Unit at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5416.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward.