The Owen Sound Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Branch, Uniform Patrol Branch, Forensic Identification Unit and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall continue their investigation into a series of deliberately set fires.
At approximately 2:45 am, 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 town house 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 attempted to be 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.
There is no report of serious injury. A total of 10 residents were transported to hospital where they were treated for symptoms related to smoke and later released from hospital.
The Owen Sound Police and investigators from the Ontario Fire Marshalls Office are continuing their investigation of these fire scenes. Several roads remain closed in the area of these fires.
Owen Sound Police are continuing to investigate any connection to these fire scenes. At this time there is no confirmed connection to fire locations and appear to be random in nature.
The Owen Sound Police will be stepping up patrols in all areas of the city, however Owen Sound Police is asking residents to be extra vigilant of any suspicious activity or noises around their property. In addition keep your property lit with any exterior security lighting, as well as keeping their garages, sheds and any flammable liquids or materials, properly secured.