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
BREAKING Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.