Ottawa police arson detectives are investigating two suspicious fires in the capital this week.
The first occurred early Tuesday when a working fire was declared in the 0-100 block of Appledale Drive in the Nepean area.
“Ottawa Fire Services quickly attended the scene and extinguished the blaze,” police said in a news release. “The property sustained damage, but no injuries were reported.”
Police now say the fire is believed to have been deliberately set.
Early Wednesday, firefighters were called at about 2:22 a.m. to a major fire in the 500 block of West Hunt Club Road.
Upon arrival, fire crews found flames coming from the front doors and windows of the large commercial building. Fire crews used a rotary saw and a sledgehammer to force their way through the front door, advancing a hose line inside.
Crews began searching for any occupants in the structure, but none were found.
The fire was declared under control at 2:52 a.m. and was contained before it could spread into any of the other businesses nearby.
Police said Thursday they believe the fire was deliberately set.
This fire is not related to the fire that occurred on Appledale Road Tuesday morning, police said.
The arson unit is asking residents and businesses in the areas to review any security, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the early morning hours of Tuesday and Wednesday for anything unusual or suspicious.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the arson and explosion unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 2202.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or online at crimestoppers.ca.
