LITTLE CURRENT–It appears the arsonist(s) responsible for at least two fires in recent weeks have struck again.
This evening, Thursday, at approximately 6:45 pm, fire crews responded to a fire on Campbell Street West in Little Current where they remain on scene. This time a fire was set in the former curling rink, now a large storage facility owned by JR Renton of Little Current. Inside were at least three vehicles, mechanical items and two large propane tanks. The building is fully engulfed, with crews from both Little Current and Aundeck Omni Kaning working to calm the blaze and keep the neighbouring buildings from catching fire.
Unfortunately, the Manitoulin Island Training Centre, the former Church of Latter Day Saints to the left of the storage shed, has also caught fire.
Two of the volunteer firefighters have been taken from the scene by emergency responders due to heat stress, The Expositor has learned.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have asked neighbouring residents to vacate the premises and have cordoned off the street from pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
A number of explosions have resulted from the fire, sending a large fireball into the evening sky and causing debris to rain down on neighbouring streets. The hydro lines have also been destroyed, resulting in power outages in the community.
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The mood in the town is one of fear and anger, as this is the fifth in a string of fires in Little Current, all appearing to be acts of arson, according to police.
The OPP asks residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to police.
Stay tuned to manitoulin.ca and facebook.com/ManitoulinExpositor for further updates.
