Timmins police probe two suspicious fires on Third Avenue

Timmins firefighters contained an early morning structure fire on Third Avenue on Friday. A business below the burnt unit sustained significant water damage.

The Timmins Police Service is investigating two suspicious fires that occurred within a day of each other this week on Third Avenue, causing significant damage to two local businesses.

First fire early Friday morning, incident TI25020700

The first incident was reported at approximately 3 a.m. on Sept.12.

The Timmins Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Third Avenue near Balsam Street South.

After extinguishing the blaze, the fire was deemed suspicious and the investigation was turned over to police.

A business below the burnt unit sustained significant water damage due tothe incident.

Second fire late Saturday, incident TI25020767

The second fire was discovered hours later, at about midnight on Saturday.

An officer patrolling the downtown core observed smoke and located an active fire on Third Avenue near Cedar Street South.

The Timmins Fire Department again attended the scene and extinguished the fire.

This incident was also deemed suspicious and the investigation was again turned over to police.

Authorities request public assistance

“At this time, investigators are working to determine the identity of the person or persons responsible,” said police.

Authorities are asking residents and businesses to review any surveillance or dashcam footage they may have from the area of Third Avenue and Algonquin Boulevard East from Pine Street South to Mountjoy Street South, as well as footage from laneways, for two specific time periods:

• September 12 between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m., and
• September 13 between 11:30 p.m. and midnight.

The footage can be uploaded using this link.

Anyone with information related to either incident is asked to contact the Timmins Police Service at 705-264-1201.

For more information on either incident, contact Staff Sgt. Camile Camirand at extension 8208.