Involvement of city police and the office of the Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) means that fire yesterday morning on First Ave. is no ordinary investigation.
“We’re raising the bar on the investigation,” Chief Fire Prevention Officer Randy Vezina told BayToday.
“If we can’t call it accidental, we call the fire marshal and police.”
Police have refused comment on the investigation, other than to say they’re assisting the fire department.
A tenant in the building told BayToday he was told not to discuss the cause of the fire.
The Fire Marshal is brought in to determine the origin, cause and circumstances of unusual fires.
Investigators assist police in the prosecution of offenders where arson has been uncovered by an investigation.
According to its website, fire departments report fires to the OFM under well-defined circumstances.
• All fatal fires or critical injury incidents
• Explosions
• Suspected incendiary
• Large loss fires - $500,000 and over
• Fires of unusual origin
For details see http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/FireMarshal/FireInvestigations/Overview/fire_investigations.html
The fire was spotted by 50 cab driver Dan Villeneuve at 3:45 a.m. He and two passengers started yelling and banging on the door to wake the residents.
Their actions allowed six people to escape with their lives from the house, converted to three dwelling units. The owner occupied the first floor.
Vezina was pleased with the “significant” co-operation between the police, fire marshal and fire department.
“Officers were taking statements before the sun came up, and the city provided a bus for interviews with tenants and witnesses.”
Vezina can’t say when a report will be issued by the Fire Marshal.
“There are only 14 in the entire province. It could take months.”
