Criminal probe into Caledonia ‘model home’ fire

Fire marshal confirms investigation of lone home at former Douglas Creek Estates site

CALEDONIA — The probe into a fire at the only “model home” left standing on the former Douglas Creek Estates in Caledonia has turned into a criminal investigation.

“It appears this is now a criminal investigation,” said Carol Gravelle, a spokesperson for the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal.

The fire marshal’s office and Ontario Provincial Police were called in to investigate after firefighters arrived at the Surrey Street property around 1 a.m. Tuesday to find flames shooting through the roof, said Haldimand County Fire Chief Rob Grimwood.

“We recognize that because of the significance of the house, there’s a lot of public interest in the case, and there would be a lot of suspicion, which is why we reached out to the fire marshal’s office right away,” Grimwood said.

The fire marshal’s office, along with Ontario Provincial Police, is investigating to determine the cause of the fire.

“It’s too early to say for sure that it’s suspicious,” Grimwood said.

Members of Six Nations first occupied Douglas Creek Estates in the south end of Caledonia in 2006, claiming the development was being built on unsurrendered land.

At the time, developers Hanco had spent $6 million on the subdivision.

Ottawa says the land was surrendered in 1844. The ensuing dispute included road blockades, a botched OPP raid and arsons, among other things.

The province eventually bought the Argyle Street South property off the developers in July 2006.

Natives remain in possession of the site and have renamed it Kanonhstaton (the protected place).

The Douglas Creek Estates housing project never proceeded.

Damage from the fire is estimated at $400,000, Grimwood said.

Fire marshal officials and police were at the scene Tuesday, said Const. Rod LeClair of Haldimand County OPP. No one was inside the home at the time of the blaze, and it’s unclear if anybody was living in it, LeClair said.

Meanwhile provincial police also continue to investigate a suspicious fire at a local business on Highway 6 in Caledonia, which took place Sunday at about 9 p.m.

At this point, LeClair said police don’t have enough information to determine if the two fires are linked.

The investigation continues.