Suspicious incidents
To date, it has been property damage but there is mounting concern in Springhill that these fires could lead to someone being seriously hurt.
Cumberland RCMP is investigating suspicious fires that damaged two vacant buildings in Springhill in recent days.
The first occurred at a vacant apartment building at Drummond and Church streets Saturday, Aug. 5.
The more recent fire was just across the street at the vacant Rollways Motel, just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Nova Scotia Fire Marshal’s office is assisting with the investigation.
The Church Street incidents are the latest in a number of fires involving vacant buildings in the community. A residential home on Fir Street and another on McGee Street, both vacant or abandoned at the time, also caught fire during the summer but RCMP is hoping these recent fires will produce information to help them close the investigation.
“I always say it’s better safe than sorry,” said Const. Dal Hutchinson, media relations officer for the RCMP. “Someone may have noticed a suspicious car and not thought too much of it, or think it’s something we already know. It’s better to let us know of anything anyone may have noticed. Anything people can offer is being helpful.”
Tuesday’s fire was the first to displace residents. Occupants of an adjacent apartment building
to the Rollways were evacuated as a precaution until firefighters from Springhill, Oxford and Southampton could contain the fire.
One of those firemen said volunteers are concerned it is only a matter of time before someone is injured if the fires continue.
Springhill isn’t the first community in Cumberland County to suffer a series of suspicious fires at vacant properties. The Bay of Fundy community of Joggins underwent similar troubles as vacant homes in that community were ignited, usually during the dead of night. The events culminated
with an unforgettable evening May 5, 2015, when suspects lit vacant homes, a garage and an empty Odd Fellows Hall. The blaze damaged a nearby church and left many in the community of 300 terrorized and unable to sleep until official word came that three suspects, all in their 20s, were arrested and charged with the crimes a month later.
Like Joggins, Springhill is a close-knit community. Hutchinson says it will play a role in keeping the community safe.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Springhill RCMP at 902-597-3770.