A suspicious early morning fire at Can- Eng Furnaces International Inc. on Montrose Rd. prevented any work from taking place inside the plant on Wednesday until an investigator from the fire marshal’s office had a chance to examine the debris.

When employees reported for work, they found a Niagara Regional Police vehicle guarding the entrance and no one allowed onto the property. Police remained at the scene all day while the investigation continued.

The Niagara Falls Fi re Department received the call at 2: 18 a. m., but has not released the cause of the blaze or the extent of damages.

Platoon Chief Tom Warman said it was difficult for firefighters to enter the plant, but once inside they were quickly able to bring the fire under control. There’s a large fence and gate near the back of the property.

“There’s really not much to say right now because it remains under investigation,” said Warman.

Shortly after noon, firefighters were called back after some papers in a filing cabinet were found smouldering.

Plant manager Mark Young said a statement would be issued later, but he could not provide any further details until police and fire officials finish their investigation.

Young said “it was business as usual” for the company, because it has two other locations — one in Niagara Falls and another site in Port Colborne, but that no work was taking place inside their Montrose Rd. site.

Ken Feren and Gary Taylor, who operate businesses in the immediate area, said they’ve had problems with vandals. There have been break-ins, gates in front of businesses have been found broken, and windows and mailboxes have been damaged.

Feren said for some unexplained reason much of that damage has been occurring on Tuesday nights.

A source told The Review he was told the fire was started in two different locations, downstairs inside the plant and upstairs inside the office area and that damage was extensive.

Fire and plant officials would not confirm that information.

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