London fire crews battle a rash of suspicious fires over the weekend
It was a busy and dangerous weekend for London fire crews, as they battled a rash of suspicious fires.
One of the fires was at a London Community Housing apartment building, located at 580 Dundas Street.
Fire officials told CTV News London that a fire began in a sixth floor unit, then smoke migrated up to the ninth floor. One female tenant, who didn’t want to be identified, said the experience was overwhelming.
“When the fire alarm went on the other night, it went off, then came back on and I got scared and I was like, ‘Alright, time to take the cats out.’ But even just getting myself together to get out was really difficult because there was already fire on the ninth floor. There was smoke on the ninth floor down by my dad’s unit. My dad won’t come out of his unit, like this is just really scary stuff.”
London Police Service Const. Sandasha Bough said officers are conducting an arson investigation in relation to the Dundas Street fire.
“Members of the London Fire Department extinguished the fire, and it was deemed to be suspicious in nature. The investigation has been assigned to our street crimes unit with the assistance of the London Fire Department,” said Bough.
A map depicting four suspicious fires current under investigation that occurred during the weekend of Nov. 25 - 27, 2022. (CTV)
The Dundas fire was one of four over the weekend under investigation by the fire department, or both London police and the London Fire Department.
Late Friday night fire crews battled a blaze at a boarding house on Hale Street. One person was taken to hospital with injuries described as minor. The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office was called in to investigate.
Fire officials said tenants were lucky to get out safely when fire broke out at a three storey walk-up apartment on Godfrey Drive Saturday morning.
And crews battled a massive blaze at an abandoned building Saturday night. Damage in that fire is estimated at between $500,000 and $700,000.
London Fire Department Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger said the department is concerned over the number of suspicious fires in a short period of time.
“This rash of fires that occurred starting Friday night and all the way in to Saturday night is significant concern to the fire department. Our communicators were instrumental in making sure resources were deployed in a proper way as well. With respect to the fires we do know that a number of these are suspicious in nature,” he said.
Mosburger said there were no serious injuries in any of the fires.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Toronto police seek suspect vehicle after security guard shot outside Drake's mansion
Toronto police are seeking help from the public as they continue to investigate a shooting that seriously injured a security guard outside rapper Drake's mansion.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.