Both the Saugeen Shores Fire and Police Departments are investigating Saturday morning’s house fire in Port Elgin — but the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office will not be involved.
Fire Chief Phil Eagleson says they consulted with the Marshall’s Office in the beginning, and some samples were taken, but they won’t attend the scene.
Meanwhile, the fire and police departments are working together to determine the cause.
A house under construction at the corner of Ray and Bluewater Streets caught fire around 5:30 AM Saturday, burning the house to the ground, and destroying the house next door.
Eagleson says there is still no dollar-estimate on damages.
Police Chief Dan Rivett says they are investigating two cases of mischief in the same neighbourhood that may be related.
Rivett says a rock was thrown into a basement window on Ray Street, and on Gingrich Crescent a furnace exhaust vent was partially filled with dirt.
Rivett says because of the proximity, they’re trying to determine if the two incidents are related to the fire.
He says they are deeming the fire “suspicious.”
He says they’re doing some research on the home that was under construction to see if any recent work was done.
Rivett says it appears there wasn’t a heater left in the home at the time of the fire.
Police are now asking anyone who was in the area to come forward and report anything they might have seen.