First-degree murder charge laid after fatal fire

Ottawa police have charged a 30-year-old man after an early morning fire at a Bayshore apartment highrise left his mother dead.

Rene Goudreau, 30, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 53-year-old Lucie Goudreau, who died in the fire in a main floor apartment at 90 Woodridge Crescent.

Sources told CBC News the victim is the mother of the accused and she used a wheelchair.

Emergency responders were called to the scene at about 2:30 a.m. after a fire broke out in a main floor apartment of the highrise.

Police had closed off the area around the building for about an hour as firefighters battled the fire.

Firefighters said an autopsy must still be conducted but they believe the victim was the woman who lived in the apartment unit.

Psychiatric assessment to be ordered

Goudreau appeared in court Tuesday evening wearing a torn black button-up shirt, reported CBC Ottawa's Ryan Gibson.

The man, who has short black hair and tan-coloured skin,was also muttering under his breath during the court appearance.

Goudreau was remanded in custody and he will return to court Wednesday morning where the details of a psychiatric assessment will be determined.

Hehas a history with the Royal Ottawa Hospital.

Police are calling this Ottawa's sixth homicide in 2012.