Several police and fire departments in the region are collaborating with the Ontario fire marshal on an investigation into a rash of suspicious fires.
On Feb. 10 officials announced that investigators from the Wellington County OPP, Guelph Police Service and Halton Police Service will work with Ontario Fire Marshal emergency management staff “to investigate a number of unsolved, suspicious fires” at vacant structures in the region.
Aided by the West Region OPP and local fire departments, the team will investigate 14 fires over the past four months.
“This multi-jurisdictional investigation is based on community safety and finding the person(s) responsible for setting these fires,” stated an OPP press release.
The rash of suspicious fires in the region began in the fall, largely on rural properties.
A majority of the fires took place in southern Wellington County, in an area that includes the townships of Guelph-Eramosa and Puslinch and the City of Guelph.
Police say anyone with information regarding the suspicious fires can contact Detective Constable Heidi Pautsch or Detective Constable Kevin Detweiler from the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.csgw.tips.
Tip providers may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.
Police are urging the public to report any suspicious vehicles or people in their community and are offering the following tips for owners of vacant buildings:
– secure unlocked structures;
– consider motion sensing cameras;
– ask neighbours to watch the property; and
– make regular visits to view the property.
