Multiple suspects wanted in Innisfil arson investigation

South Simcoe police are looking for these three people seen walking around Lefroy Saturday evening with a red gas canister after two separate fires.

South Simcoe Police are searching for multiple suspects who were allegedly involved in two fires in the Lefroy area of Innisfil late Saturday night.

Arson investigation

According to the South Simcoe Police Service, officers responded to a structure fire at the old fire hall on Hofland Street off Killarney Beach Road.

Police say that while officers were at that scene just after 11:30 p.m., they heard an explosion near Morgan Russell Memorial Arena.

“It was quickly determined that the explosion originated from the skate park, where evidence of incendiary materials and fireworks was recovered,” said a South Simcoe Police Service detective in a social media post. “An outbuilding and nearby skatepark sustained attempted arson damage, while the Hofland Street fire caused significant destruction to the former fire hall.”

South Simcoe Police released photos of three male suspects who they believe are responsible for the incidents.

The suspects were reportedly seen moving through Lefroy between 11 p.m. and midnight carrying a five-gallon gas can, which police say they used in the arsons.

Detective Const. Dan Raymond of South Simcoe Police says, “When you have people walking out on the street brazenly such as these individuals carrying gas cans without any care in the world, that’s really concerning for the community.”

Police are asking nearby residents to check their security footage around the time of the incidents, specifically footage showing the three men walking around Killarney Beach Road or between Morgan Russell Arena and Corner Avenue between 11:40 p.m. and midnight.

Anyone with such footage and anyone who recognizes the suspects is asked to come forward as the investigation remains active and ongoing.

Innisfil resident Dave Perry says, “I saw a flash out of the corner of my eye because I was watching my computer, and I was looking and I started seeing lights around the old fire hall.”

Those lights turned out to be the fire. Police say things escalated shortly after crews showed up.

Firefighting response

According to Burt Lamoureux, the town’s deputy fire chief, crews arrived to heavy flames at the rear of the old fire hall building and they began their defence attack from the outside.

Once the fire was mostly fought off, Lamoureux says crews then went inside, where no occupants were found. While Lamoureux confirms that half of the building remained structurally solid, he explained that there was smoke damage throughout and significant fire damage to the other half, where a ‘portable classroom’ area and its roof will ‘likely’ be deemed a total loss.

The community centre fire remained outside the building and was fought off by responding crews. No damage was sustained to the community centre.

Raymond says, “While they were on scene, they heard an additional explosion behind the Morgan Russell Memorial Arena and were drawn over to the area where they found additional evidence of another fire that had been set.”

Several homes equipped with video surveillance captured the trio walking through the neighbourhood with the gas can. Police say many of the cameras caught a good look of the suspects.

“We’ve received a lot of tips, a lot of videos, and the Town of Innisfil has been a great help with its videos as well, so at this point, we’re comfortable saying there are three suspects involved,” Raymond says.

Third Fire

Lamoureux adds that the town’s resources were stretched to their limits as crews responded to the two incidents in Lefroy and a third fire all at the same time.

“Managing three concurrent fires placed considerable demands on our limited resources, yet our volunteer and full-time crews rose to the challenge without hesitation,” he said in a message to CTV News. “They were constantly redeploying, adapting, and supporting one another, and their efforts under pressure were nothing short of exceptional.”

The third fire took place at a complex on Sea Ray Avenue in Friday Harbour.

Lamoureux says the responding firefighters found a pot that had been left on the stove in one of the units, adding that the stove was left on while the residents were away.

The residents were not displaced as a result of the damage.

“Unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of structure fires in Ontario. Always ensure your stove is off before leaving it unattended,” urged Lamoureux.

Aftermath

No injuries were reported in any of the incidents and the total dollar value of the damage is still being assessed.