MANITOULIN—The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Office of the Fire Marshal are investigating four fires in the Rockville and Spring Bay areas that have each been deemed suspicious, but police are hesitant to call them related incidents.
The first fire was reported on the evening of June 6, just after 11 pm, to the Northeast Town Fire Department which responded to find an unoccupied log structure on Rockville Road fully engulfed in flames. While there, firefighters noted what appeared to be another fire visible across Lake Manitou. No calls were reported for this fire, but it was noted to the OPP by the Northeast Town Fire Department.
Because of the time of night, the fact the log building was unoccupied and due to the lack of electricity servicing the building, Northeast Town Fire Chief Duane Deschamps alerted the police to the suspicious nature of the fire.
On June 11, the OPP helicopter was dispatched to survey the area and discovered the scene of the other Rockville fire, on Lucar Point Road, on Lake Manitou. It was a summer home and it had sustained significant damage, reports OPP Community Services Officer Constable Marie Ford.
Then, on June 14, once again just after 11 pm, the Central Manitoulin Fire Department received a call about two fires on Learmont Road in Spring Bay. Both seasonal residences were close in proximity and both sustained significant damage, explained Constable Ford.
Learmont Road runs between Monument Road and Perivale Road East.
“We can’t say at this time that they’re connected,” said Constable Ford of the four fires. She noted that the OPP Crime Unit, Forensic Identification Unit and the Office of the Fire Marshall are all actively investigating the fires.
“Call in anything suspicious,” Constable Ford urged the public. “We’re looking for any suspicious vehicles late at night—if you’re woken up by strange sounds—we want to know about it.”
Any person with information regarding the person(s) who may have been responsible for these incidents should immediately contact OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.tipsubmit.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
