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Investigators wait on forensics as 18 suspicious fires remain unsolved

Also, four things you can do to prevent your abandoned or vacant building from becoming No. 19
20161205 fires 2 ts
Guelph firefighters work on some remaining hot spots at a barn fire at 7070 Fife Rd. that broke out in the early hours of Monday, Dec. 5, 2016. Tony Saxon/GuelphToday

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

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WELLINGTON COUNTY - Criminal Investigators from Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), West Region OPP Support Unit, Halton Police Service along with the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshall Emergency Management (OFMEM) and surrounding Fire Departments continue to investigate a number of unsolved, suspicious fires in their respective jurisdictions.

This multi-jurisdictional investigation is based on community safety and finding the person(s) responsible for setting these fires.

To date there are a total of eighteen fires in the County of Wellington that are being treated as suspicious and will be investigated as such until proven otherwise.

Investigators are waiting on forensic analysis of evidence seized at scenes and are analyzing any possible relationship between the fires.

The police are urging the public to report any suspicious vehicles or people in their community.

Police offer tips for owners of abandoned or vacant buildings;

  • Secure unlocked structures
  • Consider motion sensing cameras
  • Request neighbours to watch the property
  • Make regular visits to view the property

Any person with information regarding these incidents should contact Detective Constable Kevin Detweiler from the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip on-line at www.csgw.tips. Crime Stoppers has increased the minimum reward to $1000 for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Wellington County fires currently under investigation:

24 Sep 2016 - 7432 Sixteenth Line, Twp. of Mapleton, unoccupied home

14 Oct 2016 - 5230 Third Line, Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, unoccupied home

19 Oct 2016 - 5292 Third Line, Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, unoccupied home

28 Oct 2016 - 747 Arkell Road (Wellington Road 37), Twp. of Puslinch, unoccupied home

30 Oct 2016 - 481 Townline Road, Twp. of Puslinch, inoperable vehicle

31 Oct 2016 - 4538 Side Road 10 North, Twp. of Puslinch, inoperable vehicle

16 Nov 2016 - 5953 Sixth Line, Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, operating sawmill

15-17Nov 2016 - 4916 Wellington Road 29, Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, cabin under construction

05 Dec 2016 - 7070 Fife Road, City of Guelph, unoccupied home

09 Jan 2017 - 4907 Seventh Line, Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, residence and sheds

19 Jan 2017 - 5390 Wellington Road 49 Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, Everton Heritage Mill

03 Feb 2017 - 6873 Highway 7Hwy Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, abandoned shed

03 Feb 2017 - 5413 Township Road 3, Twp. of Guelph/Eramosa, unoccupied home and a barn containing hay bales.

15 Feb 2017 - Third Line near Halton-Erin Townline, Town of Erin, bales in a field

05 Mar 2017 - 59 Queen Street, Morriston, Twp. of Puslinch, unoccupied home

12 Mar 2017 - 7205 First Line, Twp. of Wellington North, debris pile

09 Apr 2017 - 7203 Concession 2, Twp. of Puslinch, unoccupied home

25 Apr 2017 - 7203 Concession 2, Twp. of Puslinch, debris pile from previous fire

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