Belleville firefighters douse hot spots at the Sills Road fire April 29. (Photo: Nicole Kliensteuber / Quinte News)
Below is the actual report from Belleville Fire Prevention Officer, Dave MacMullen.
April 29, 2016 – Friday – 6:48 a.m. – a 911 call came into Belleville Dispatch reporting a garage style structure fire on Sills Road.
On initial arrival, fire fighters found two large metal garage/storage structures fully involved with fire. An additional fire was observed across the road in an attached garage to a residential structure. The garage/storage structures were not threatening any other structures and efforts were concentrated on saving the fast burning structure fire that was rapidly spreading throughout the home. The two garage/storage structures were extinguished after the initial attack on the residential home.
All structures and contents were unfortunately unable to be saved due to the rapid growth of the fires. As reported by Belleville Police Services – there was a deceased person at the scene – this was not a fire fatality and Belleville Police Services have closed the investigation regarding this matter.
Dollar loss to all three structures is estimated to be over $500,000 – there were no fire fighter injuries.
The residential home was insured and it is not known if the garage/storage structures were insured. The residents of the total loss of their home are being accommodated by relatives. Due to the large dollar loss – the Ontario Fire Marshal’s investigators were requested to assist with origin and cause of the fires.
Due to the total loss of all three structures – precise origins of the fire were not able to be located – the cause of all three structure fires is arson and the suspect was the deceased person found at the scene. The home owners of the residential property were not involved with the deliberately set fires and are victims of an arson fire that destroyed their home
Mutual Aid tanker support was provided by our fire service neighbours and greatly appreciated.
This unfortunate event for the home owners in particular, was a joint investigation effort by Belleville Police Services – Belleville Fire and Rescue – Fire Marshal Investigators and the cooperation of all involved was greatly appreciated.
It was also a long and strenuous day for Belleville Fire Fighters from Stations 3 and 4 — their efforts under very difficult and trying circumstances is also recognized and very much appreciated.
