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Investigators with St. Catharines Fire Services have concluded their on-site investigation into a pair of fires that happened in the City’s downtown core in late December.
Over the last several weeks, fire investigators, with the support of the Niagara Regional Police Service, had conducted an investigation into the fire that destroyed 9 Queen St. on Dec. 26, and a fire that started just hours later, in the early morning hours of Dec. 27, at 17 Queen St. – in a portion of the building that had not yet been demolished following the fire at the building in early December. The buildings had been vacant, with no active utilities, and fire officials investigated after discovering some form of combustible fuel source was used to ignite the fires.
Over the last two weeks, investigators from sifted through the rubble of the two sites – located adjacent to each other – and canvassed the neighbourhood to talk to any witnesses and to review any available footage.
“The investigation determined that the fires were separate and distinct incidents and were not the result of fire spread between the two buildings,” said St. Catharines Fire Chief David Upper. “Based on the available information, we believe the fires originated on the upper floors of each of the respective buildings, but due to the extent of structural damage and demolition required to ensure the fires were completely out, a definitive point of origin couldn’t be determined for either fire.”
Based on that, said the fire chief, the cause of the fires will be classified as “undetermined” at this time. Chief Upper, however, encourages anyone with any additional information about either of the fire incidents to report it to Niagara Regional Police, at 905.688.4111, or to do so anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Niagara, at 1.800.222.TIPS. The Fire Chief also asks members of the public to continue to report suspicious activity they observe at vacant properties to police immediately.
While the cleanup related to the two fires continue by the property owner, there are currently no road closures in place adjacent to the sites. Queen Street and William Street have been completely reopened to traffic, and there are no lane closures at this time. Access to the sidewalk adjacent to the sites of the fire, however, remains closed.
Chief Upper, Fire Services and City officials would like to thank Niagara Regional Police for its support throughout the investigation, and thanks the community for its patience during the ongoing investigation and road closures over the last month.
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