Police confirm Dundas blaze that killed two was arson

One of couple’s four children is a suspect in the investigation

A fire marshal report on a fatal blaze in Dundas confirms what homicide detectives suspected from the start — that it was arson.

The intense, sudden and deliberately set fire, which killed Carla and Alan Rutherford on July 9, ripped through their Greening Court home after beginning in their bedroom at the back of the modest, ranch-style house.

The couple was asleep in bed when the fire began at about 3:30 a.m.

Between them, the couple has four adult children from previous relationships.

Staff Sgt. Steve Bereziuk of the Hamilton police major crimes unit has previously said one of those children is a suspect in the murder investigation. That child knows they are the focus of the case.

The long-awaited report from the Ontario Fire Marshal was received this week, says Bereziuk.

“The report confirms arson and now forms evidence for this ongoing investigation,” he said, declining to go into any further detail, such as how the fire was set.

In the past, the detective has said investigators believe the fire was set with the intention of killing the retired couple, who had no apparent enemies, beyond, perhaps, someone in their own family.

Carla has two grown sons from a previous marriage. The Greening Court home is where they were raised. Alan has two adult daughters from a prior marriage.

The couple married 11 years ago after meeting as co-workers at a Hamilton Health Sciences lab.

Carla, 65, died inside the house. Alan, 64, somehow managed to escape the inferno with burns to most of his body, making his way to a neighbour’s porch in a desperate effort to get help for his wife.

He collapsed on the doorstep and died shortly afterward.

The house has since been razed.

Carla and Alan were beloved by neighbours on their quiet, close-knit street, some of whom watched and wept as the burned remains of the house were torn down.

Police continue to ask anyone with information about this homicide to contact Det. Ben Adams at 905-546-3836.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or summit your tips at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.