Two volunteer firefighters are facing multiple arson charges in connection with a string of fires throughout the Cape Breton communities of Florence and Bras d’Or.

Cape Breton Regional Police say they launched an “intensified investigation” after responding to 16 suspicious fires in structures, wooded areas and vehicles in the Florence and Bras d’Or areas in recent months.

Police identified two suspects and arrested them on Thursday.

Stephen Tremblett, 49, of North Sydney is facing 12 charges of arson. James Clayton MacDonald, 24, of Bras d'Or is facing 16 charges of arson.

Police confirmed at a news conference on Friday that both Tremblett and Clayton are members of the volunteer fire department in Florence.

"We feel betrayed. They were one of us.  They were like family,” says Florence volunteer fire department Chief Dave Julian. "We were all inside these structures that they are accused of lighting. It's hard to even comprehend.”

The Florence fire department was so overwhelmed with arsons, it even had to cancel the community's Canada Day parade due to resources due being tied up at fire scenes.

Many of the buildings were vacant, but at least two of the fires were set to homes occupied by people.

“It’s very disturbing,” says Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Peter McIsaac. "Brush fires, forest fires, debris fires, there was vehicle fires, abandoned structure fires. And there were two occupied residences that were destroyed in these fires."

Other volunteer fire departments are already reaching out to Florence in support.

"A lot of people are hurt. Some are angry, and some are hurt,” says North Sydney volunteer fire department Chief Lloyd Macintosh. “It’s not a good thing for the fire service.  But I hope the general public will recognize the amount of good the fire service does."

Both men were remanded to the Cape Breton Correctional Facility and made brief appearances in Sydney provincial court on Friday.

They will be back on Monday for bail hearings.

The charges against the men have yet to be proven in court.

The incidents remain under investigation.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.