The Windsor Police Service states it is investigating a suspected arson that caused approximately $1 million in damages to two new Amherstburg homes.
Police say that shortly before 6 a.m. last Friday, officers responded to an active fire in the 700 block of Elliot Point Road, which is within the Kingsbridge subdivision. A newly built home was engulfed in flames when emergency crews arrived. The home was fully destroyed in the blaze, and the roof of a neighbouring residence sustained significant damage.
The home is part of a townhouse development, with four homes part of the same structure. The unit on the north end of the structure nearest the intersection at McLellan Ave. sustained the bulk of the damage.
The fire is being treated as suspicious, say police. The structure was vacant at the time of the incident, and no one was physically injured in the blaze.
Amherstburg deputy fire chief Ron Meloche said the call came in at 5:42 a.m. and it was a three-station response.
“The rest (of the homes are) still standing so that’s good from our view,” said Meloche.
Meloche said he was of the understanding the owner was just starting to move into the townhouse and had moved appliances in, but confirmed the home was not occupied at the time of the fire.
The cause of the fire is unclear at this point and the matter remains under investigation.
“We arrived to a fully involved structure fire,” said Meloche. “Crews did an amazing job.”
Because the neighbouring townhouse was also unoccupied, Meloche said firefighters were able to get inside of that and knock down the fire in the attic. Fire suppression between the units also helped prevent its spread, he added.
Twenty-eight firefighters were on scene and none were injured, said Meloche. Firefighters were on scene roughly five hours.
Meloche said units were selling for between $650,000-$750,000 so between that and the damage to the other unit, he also issued a preliminary estimate of about $1 million in damages.
Police investigators urge residents in the immediate area of the incident to check their surveillance or dashcam footage for possible evidence. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Windsor Police Arson Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4330.
They can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.
If someone is an affected person in need of support, they can call Victim Services Windsor Essex County at 519-723-2711 or the Victim Assistance Unit at Windsor Police at 519-255-6700, ext. 4879.
By Ron Giofu
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