South end barn fire deemed suspicious, investigation underway

MIDDLESEX CENTRE, ONT. -- London fire crews were kept busy dealing with a barn fire in the city's south end Tuesday afternoon.

The fully-involved fire broke out in the area of Colonel Talbot Road and Pack Road around 12:45 p.m.

The blaze was brought under control just before 2 p.m. but crews had to remain on scene to put out hot spots.

No one was hurt. The property is abandoned and there were no livestock inside.

"On this call, actually numerous 911 calls had come in, even before we were dispatched. Upon leaving our fire hall, which is quite a bit to the east of here we saw heavy smoke, heavy dark smoke coming up. So we knew we had something heavily involved," says District Fire Chief Scott Turnbull.

The fire has been deemed suspicious and London police are investigating in conjunction with the London Fire Department's inspector.

Damage has been estimated at approximately $100,000.

Incident update: fire is knocked down and crews are putting out hot spots. Northbound Colonial Talbot closed to traffic. No injuries reported working with @lpsmediaoffice @MLPS911 #ldnont pic.twitter.com/fwtJnN5ft7

— London Fire Department (@LdnOntFire) May 18, 2021

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  Barn fire on Colonel Talbot Road in London, Ont. on May 18, 2021. (Irma Huyben)

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  Crews are dealing with a barn fire in south London, Ont. on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. (Source: London Fire Department / Twitter)