The Chief of the Greater Napanee Fire Services has called in the Ontario Fire Marshal and the OPP Crime Investigation Unit, following Monday morning’s fire at the former Napanee arena
Bill Hammond tells Quinte News that at 2:40 a.m., they were called to the York Street fire, and spotted smoke and flames coming from the second floor of the Lennox Agricultural Memorial Community Centre. It was the former hockey rink for the community.
Firefighters douse the smouldering building with water, to smother any remaining fire. Photo: L&A OPP
Hammond says 170 York Street is near the corner of Thomas Street at the Napanee Fairgrounds.
The building was recently used as a roller rink and a business office, and the Sea Cadets were using the site as an armoury.
Thirty-six members of the Greater Napanee Fire Services, Loyalist Township Fire and Emergency Services, and Kingston Fire and Rescue were on scene.
He credits great work by crews in saving a number of adjacent buildings, including the Napanee Curling Club.
Nine fire trucks, including three aerial trucks, worked on the blaze which was finally knocked down around 5:00 a.m.
Close to two dozen nearby homes were evacuated in the area.
Hammond says there were a number of explosions inside the building, which he believes were propane tanks that were being stored inside.
The Chief says he does not have an exact damage figure, however he believes it is in the millions of dollars.
Surrounding buildings were saved by the firefighter’s efforts, despite the millions of damage to the former arena building. Photo: L&A OPP
No cause has been released but Hammond says it is “very suspicious.”
An investigation is ongoing by the L&A County OPP in conjunction with the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.
Investigators are asking anyone who lives in the area of the agricultural building and who may have home surveillance cameras or Dash camera video to upload a copy of their footage taken between 1:30 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. on Monday October 23 using the following secure evidence submission portal:
https://bit.ly/napanee_agbuilding_fire
A fire at the Lennox Agricultural Memorial Community Centre in Napanee, Monday October 23, 2023 has been deemed suspicious. (Photo: Lisa Ray Koenig)
A fire at the Lennox Agricultural Memorial Community Centre in Napanee, Monday October 23, 2023 has been deemed suspicious. (Photo: Lisa Ray Koenig)
