A row of townhouses on fire in August of 2015. (Photo by Kirk Scott)A row of townhouses on fire in August of 2015. (Photo by Kirk Scott)
Midwestern

LATEST: Owen Sound Fires

Update 12:48 a.m Tuesday: Arrest Made In Owen Sound Residential Fires

The Owen Sound Police Service's Criminal Investigation Branch, Uniform Patrol Branch, Forensic Identification Unit and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal continue the investigation into a series of deliberately set fires in Owen Sound this morning.

Chief Bill Sornberger asks people in Owen Sound is to be vigilant overnight, leave porch lights on and lock up sheds to make sure today's fires do not happen again.

At approximately 2:45 am Monday, members of the Owen Sound Police Service and Owen Sound Fire Department, responded to a report of a fire at a retail and residential apartment building at 944 2nd Avenue East, in the city's downtown.

Prior to arrival of police and fire services, a resident had extinguished two small fires set in different locations within common areas of the building. Fire damage was minimal.

Almost an hour later police and fire services were called again to a residential fire at 393, 15th Street East.

Upon arrival police were quickly alerted by local residents to another structure fire at the south end of a townhouse complex on 4th Avenue East, just south of 15th Street East. Both of these structures were significantly consumed by fire.

Police and fire crews at the scene assisted several occupants from the townhouse. A vehicle parked in the parking lot at the south end of the townhouse was also set on fire but the fire was extinguished and damage was minimal.

The house at 393, 15th Street East was totally destroyed and the houses on each side of that residence also received significant damage from fire transfer.

At approximately 4:00 a.m., an additional 9-1-1 call was received for a fire near corner of 13th Street and 4th Avenue East.

A shed on that property had been set on fire, which spread to the adjacent duplex.

A short time later an additional fire was reported to a residential shed on a property at 17th Street and 6th Avenue East. All of these structures sustained significant fire damage.

Later this morning an additional arson attempt was discovered to a shed on 4th Avenue East, south of 13th Street East. The fire appeared to have extinguished on its own before serious damage occurred.

Ten people were taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and 15 families were evacuated.

Some are staying at the Lumley Bayshore set up as an emergency shelter.

Owen Sound police have started a criminal investigation into what Chief Sornberg calls the 'suspicious' fires.

The Ontario Fire Marshal's office has also been called in.

 

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