CORNWALL, Ontario – The Cornwall Community Police Service (CCPS) have announced that they will be taking over the investigation of a fire that destroyed three buildings on the corner of Montreal Rd. and Alice St. on Thursday, July 26, 2018.
“The Cornwall Fire Department has deemed the fire to be suspicious in nature and as such, the Cornwall Community Police Service will now be taking the lead,” CCPS wrote in a statement to media. “Members of the Criminal Investigations Division and Forensic Identification Unit are on scene conducting an investigation. The Cornwall Community Police Service is continuing to ask motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area to allow for police to continue the investigation. We would like to thank the public for their cooperation and patience during this time. “
The Red Cross has confirmed that 31 people were displaced by the fire.
The fire began at two buildings on the corner of Alice St. and Montreal Rd. and eventually spread to Poirier’s Furniture next door. All three buildings were destroyed.
The heat from the fire was so strong that it melted the siding off of buildings on the other side of the street. There were no injuries reported.
Cornwall Fire Services were called to the scene of the fire at around 6:38 p.m. Twenty-Seven firefighters responded along with 10 initial fire personnel, two Fire Prevention Officers, a mechanic and a Fire Chief.
