Barrie police are investigating what officials are calling a “suspicious fire” that took place late Tuesday night.
Both city police and firefighters got the call shortly before 10 p.m. on July 23 about a blaze at a vacant home located at 37 Ross St., near Mary Street in downtown Barrie, which was spotted by a neighbour.
“There were flames visible on the porch of the home and there was a little bit of (damage) to a support and siding, but it didn't get into the structure of the home,” said Deputy Fire Chief Carrie Clark.
Crews extinguished the fire and the scene was left with Barrie police to investigate, she added.
“It’s an unusual fire, but Barrie police haven’t requested the fire marshal … so it’s been left with them," Clark said.
Peter Leon, communications co-ordinator for the city's police department, told BarrieToday the fire was located on a rear porch of the home.
The investigation is ongoing.
“It’s suspicious … and our Criminal Investigation Division is looking into it,” he said.
“There was a report of a person seen running from the area, so we are obviously going to follow up and do a canvass of the area to see if we can find anything that will assist us in identifying the individual — video, witnesses, that sort of thing," Leon said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Barrie police online or call 705-725-7025.
