Greater Sudbury Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall are investigating a blaze that swept through a residence on Bulmer Avenue in the Gatchell neighbourhood on Oct. 17.
Greater Sudbury Fire Services reports being dispatched to the blaze between 9 and 10 p.m. last night. The department dispatched Engine 1 and Ladder 1 from downtown and Engine 2 and 3 from Minnow Lake to the fire, along with the platoon chief. EMS and police were also dispatched.
“Smoke and flames from the fire were visible from a distance while en route,” the Sudbury Professional Fire Fighters posted to Facebook.
The department said Engine 1 was met with large flames. The fire was initially deemed a defensive attack, GSFS said.
You can see a video of the fire here.
“Engine 1 quickly applied water to exposed structures and knocked down the main fire,” the post states. “Other crews assisted by securing a water supply and deploying additional hoselines.”
After the fire was brought under control, crews searched the home and confirmed no one was inside.
Crews were on the scene for several hours putting out hot spots and checking for extensions of the fire. No injuries were reported.
No damage estimate or cause of the blaze is available as GSFS determined the fire to be suspicious and brought in Greater Sudbury Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall to investigate.
GSPS spokesperson Kaitlyn Dunn confirmed that police are now involved.
“Upon extinguishing the fire, Firefighters deemed the fire to be suspicious,” Dunn said. “Members of our Criminal Investigation Division are working in collaboration with the Ontario Fire Marshall's Office to determine the cause of the fire.”
The police ask anyone with information on the fire to contact GSPS at 705-675-9171 or Crime Stoppers at 705-222-8477 (TIPS).
Mark Gentili is the editor of Sudbury.com.
