ERIN – Eight new homes were damaged – some of them completely destroyed – by two overnight fires that police are considering suspicious.
Wellington County OPP officials say police and fire crews responded to a structure fire on Brown Street in the Erin Glen development in northeast Erin at about 12:54am on Sept. 27.
“Two separate fires were reported … A total of eight houses have sustained damage in some way, some of them being completely destroyed,” police stated in a press release.
Erin’s acting fire chief Scott Bates told the Advertiser eight fire trucks and 30 firefighters responded to the scene.
“Crews were met with multiple well-involved units. We mounted a defensive attack and stopped the fire from spreading to exposures on either side,” Bates said.
“There’s six (houses) that have sustained heavy damage.”
An Advertiser reporter on the scene later that day observed at least three units that were completely destroyed.
All the damaged homes were unoccupied at the time and no firefighters or other people were injured.
Bates estimated that the total damage is “in the millions.”
Police officials say the fires are suspicious and are asking anyone in the area at the time to review video surveillance and dash cam footage.
“A vehicle fire in the vicinity was reported a short time later and police are determining if it is related,” police stated.
Asked why the fires are considered suspicious, Bates said, “I will not comment on that; it’s just under investigation at this time.”
He noted fire officials are working with the OPP and have notified the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office.
“Crews did a outstanding job and the fire chief couldn’t be prouder,” Bates added.
“The police are going to end up taking the lead on this investigation moving forward.”
Anyone with any information can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at cstip.ca.
-With files from Chris Daponte
