Seven suspicious fires in Waterloo spark investigation
Posted Aug 1, 2017 04:21:02 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Waterloo Fire Rescue Services is working with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Ontario to investigate an escalating series of fires in the City of Waterloo, now linking a total of seven separate fire incidents from July 6 through July 30, 2017.
The series of suspicious fires have occurred close to each other and are concentrated in the Lakeshore Village, Lakeshore North, and Conservation Meadows neighbourhoods.
As a result of the recent series of fire incidents and ongoing joint investigation, Waterloo Fire Rescue and the City of Waterloo have taken the following actions in response to these recent incidents.
“Waterloo Fire Rescue has a fire crew dedicated to delivering its annual fire safety program in north Waterloo, the city’s Corporate Security team has added patrols within north Waterloo and the city’s Municipal Enforcement Services has increased its presence and attention to north Waterloo,” says Ryan Schubert, Deputy Chief of support and services for Waterloo Fire Rescue.
Residents and business owners are reminded to be fire safe and vigilant at all times, and are being asked to do the following:
If you witness a fire incident, ensure your safety and your family’s safety – call 9-1-1;
Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas;
Ensure carbon monoxide alarms are installed adjacent to sleeping areas of the home;
Ensure you complete a home fire escape plan with your family by knowing two ways out of your home;
Call police if suspicious activities are observed;
Lock and secure homes, vehicles, machinery/equipment and fence gates; and
Secure combustibles (such as brush, trash and gas cans) and flammables and store them in a locked shed outside.
The investigation is still on-going and the Waterloo Fire Rescue Service, together with the Waterloo Regional Police Service, and the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Ontario, is looking for the public’s assistance and ask that anyone with any information to contact Waterloo Regional Police Service North Division Detectives at 519-653-7700, extension 6355, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
