Shed fire in Waterloo may be linked to seven other suspicious fires

WATERLOO — A shed burned Wednesday morning in Waterloo, the latest in a series of suspicious fires that are under investigation.

The fire on Wintergreen Drive would be the eighth early-morning fire possibly connected since July 6.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at 4:33 a.m. They found a metal utility shed on fire as well as part of a fence. They were able to extinguish it. Damage to the shed, contents and fence is estimated at $15,000. No one was injured.

The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office is investigating, along with Waterloo Fire and Rescue, and Waterloo Regional Police. Police dogs, typically used to hunt for a suspect, were at the scene shortly after the fire.

The string of suspicious cases includes a fire at a house under construction, sheds set ablaze, a car that went up in flames, and a fence that burned to the ground. One of the fires occurred in a park.

The fires are in a north Waterloo area roughly bounded by Conservation Drive, Benjamin Road, Northfield Drive and Albert Street and Bearinger Road. The neighbourhoods are also commonly known as Lakeshore Village, Lakeshore North and Conservation Meadows.

Residents should call police if they witness a fire or any suspicious activity. Make sure homes, vehicles, equipment and fence gates are secure. Also lock away any combustibles (such as trash, brush and gas cans) in a shed.

Anyone with information about these suspicious fires is asked to call police at 519-653-7700 ext. 6355, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.