Arson suspected in latest new-home fires in Bond Head, police say

If you have any idea who is setting new homes ablaze in Bond Head, let South Simcoe police know.

The department is currently investigating two more suspected cases of arson, which occurred this past weekend in a newly built subdivision in the west end of Bradford West Gwillimbury. 

On Sunday (Oct. 13) at about 4:30 a.m., officers and Bradford Fire and Emergency Services personnel responded to a report of residential structure fires at 173 and 177 Rowe Street. Upon arrival, they found active fires — flames were visible at one structure and smoke was pouring out of both — in the residential units and successfully extinguished them. 

These units were unoccupied and there were no reported injuries.

“The cause of these fires is currently under investigation,” police said in an Oct. 15 media release. “Investigators from the Office of the Fire Marshal have been called in to assist with the investigation. These incidents mark the eighth residential fire in this new development on Rowe Street, north of (Highway) 88 on the west side of Highway 27, with the affected residential units at various stages of construction.”

This is also the third fire on Rowe this month — South Simcoe officers and Bradford firefighters responded to a blaze there Oct. 5.

Earlier investigation determined the previous fires were deliberately set, and three homes in the same development area had been targeted in the past year.

Anyone with information related to this latest incident is asked to contact the department’s criminal investigation bureau at 905-775-3311. Those wishing to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit information online through crimestopperssdm.com.