Waterloo fire chief says five suspicious blazes may be linked

WATERLOO — Waterloo Fire and Waterloo Regional Police are investigating a series of suspicious fires in the northwest end of Waterloo.

Waterloo Fire Chief Richard Hepditch said that the five fires are considered suspicious because they have all occurred in a short period of time since July 6 and all are in proximity to each other in three Waterloo neighbourhoods.

All the fires were reported in the early morning hours and some occurred in the backyard of homes, one in a car and one in a park.

“These five suspicious fires may be related,” Hepditch said.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Ontario is also investigating the fires that occurred in an area bordered by Conservation Drive, Benjamin Road, Northfield Drive and Albert Street and Bearinger Road.

The neighbourhoods are Lakeshore Village, Lakeshore North and Conservation Meadows.

The first fire occurred on July 6 on Cheltonwood Crescent off Benjamin Road. A car was destroyed

by the blaze at about 3:30 a.m.

The second fire occurred at an exterior deck and fence at a house in Waterloo on Twinflower Crescent off Northlake Drive.

The next fire was at a shed and included brush at a house on Dogwood Lane.

Another fire occurred at a park in Conservation Meadows on Sunday and the last fire was also reported Sunday at a house under construction on Pinery Trial. No one was in the house at the time of the fire which occurred just before 6 a.m.

Hepditch said firefighters became concerned last week after a third fire and suspected they may be linked.

“The frequency and the geographical area make them suspicious,” he said.

Hepditch said he’s hoping to raise public awareness and to remind residents to report fires immediately if they witness anything suspicious.

Also, homeowners should have a fire escape plan and ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are working.

Hepditch also reminds residents to lock vehicles, machinery/ equipment and fence gates.

Secure combustibles (such as brush, trash and gas cans) and flammables, and store them in a locked shed outside, he said.

Anyone with information on the fires can call Waterloo Regional Police Waterloo detectives at 519-653-7700, ext. 6355, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.