Suspicious fire causes $100,000 in damage to old bowling alley in Cambridge
A fire at the former Dickson Bowl in downtown Galt has caused significant damage to the building.
Five stations were called in around midnight Thursday to the structure fire.
“I was in bed, but I did hear a lot of fire trucks go by,” said Megan Evans who lives nearby.
Cambridge Fire says they needed to go into a defensive strategy when they arrived but later switched to an offensive strategy.
“It was a vacant property that has been breached and has been known to have individuals inside the building,” Eric Yates, chief fire prevention officer with the Cambridge Fire Department said. “At the time of the fire, we didn’t see anyone inside the building. Further investigation with the police will hopefully determine if someone was.
The fire resulted in a major roadway being closed for much of the day.
No injuries were reported, and the building has been cleared of anyone inside, according to Cambridge Fire.
Adding that the building has been vacant for years, and it wouldn’t be the first time that someone has broken in.
Cambridge Fire says they believe the incident is suspicious, but fire prevention and regional police will be at the scene later in the day to investigate.
The forensic unit was on scene Thursday afternoon.
The structure has been assessed, and investigators began entering the building Thursday morning.
There is no word yet on the cause of the fire, but officials say the damage estimate is around $100,000.
The fire prevention officer told CTV News the Ontario Fire Marshal's office was consulted Thursday morning, but is no longer involved in the investigation.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.