Bortolin ‘concerned’ by yet another fire in Ward 3

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Ward 3 Coun. Rino Bortolin is “concerned” after what appears to be another suspicious fire in the area he represents.

Windsor Fire and Rescue Services worked into the early morning hours of Saturday battling a fire in the 500 Block of Janette Avenue.

“Obviously I’m concerned,” Bortolin said. “I’ve reached out to police to see what was going on. They’ve made this a top priority. I think the biggest issue is so many fires in a short period of time in a concentrated area.”

The Janette Avenue fire, which broke out late Friday night, is at least the fifth suspicious fire in the downtown core in just over a week. Crews remained on the scene Saturday dealing with hot spots.

“I would have to guess as much because of the pattern,” Bortolin said when asked if he thought it was the work of an arsonist. “So many fires in the last week to 10 days, from big ones to the small ones.”

There were no injuries from the fire though damage was estimated at $350,000.

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“It’s a very serious event, no matter what,” Bortolin said. “Even the one on Janette, it was a family home with a family inside that was able to get out safely. However, with every fire of this magnitude, there’s a risk of harm to a family or the firefighters. Then, there’s the second impact as the home becomes a blighted home or property in the area that leaves a scar on the neighbourhood for years.”

The Janette Avenue fire was one of two house fires in the city over the weekend. WFRS also responded to a second fire in the 9600 block of Midfield Crescent in Forest Glade around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Four people were displaced by the blaze with damage estimated at $250,000. The investigation of the cause is still ongoing.

WFRS announced late Saturday that both fires are considered suspicious and that the Ontario Fire Marshal would attend both incidents on Sunday.

“We need to wait for the fire marshal’s investigation to determine what it is,” Bortolin said. “Whatever the outcome form the fire investigation, I know that police are treating it seriously.”

Bortolin would not go into detail of what he’s been told by police in regards to the fires.

“I can’t speak to it right now,” he said. “What I will say is it’s a top priority. Police have made this a top priority going into the weekend and start of the week.

“Either way, whatever the cause, when you see so many fires in a condensed area within a couple of blocks within a week, you have to ask a lot of questions. Regardless of reason or cause, you have to take this seriously. It’s a big problem. This is not just something that should be taken lightly. This is a very, very serious issue and we need to figure it out quickly so it doesn’t happen again.”

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Bortolin said residents should remain vigilant and, if possible, work with police and share information.

“Making sure that if it is one person, that we catch that person,” Bortolin said. “Just a reminder to residents to be very vigilant. Just paying attention more, making sure your floodlights are on, checking camera footage, if you have a camera, checking the area around and at the side of your house and garbage area are all important.

“These fires, if they’re being deliberately set, we need to be vigilant and make sure we contact the police with the non-emergency number. Anyone with information or video surveillance should share it. As every day goes by, every night has the potential for another fire.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the arson unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4332. Anonymous tips can be made through Crime Stoppers at 519-8477 or www.catchcrooks.com

jpparker@postmedia.com

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