Morning fire in London’s Oakridge neighbourhood deemed suspicious

An early-morning fire in a west London, Ont. townhouse is now being investigated by police as suspicious.

The fire broke out inside a unit at 495 Oakridge Drive at about 6:30 a.m. ET.

The house is part of a series of modern dwellings that back onto Riverside Drive, overlooking the Thames River and Springbank Park. 

Firefighters described the fire as aggressive. Initially, they weren’t able to get inside the building to conduct a search, said Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland. Crews eventually made entry and quickly knocked down the fire.

Aftermath of house fire on Oakridge Drive in London, Ont.

Fire crews worked to extinguish a fire at a home at 495 Oakridge Drive in London, Ont., on Dec. 14, 2021. 0:24

One firefighter went through the floor and was taken to hospital, Loveland said. He was treated for his injuries and has since been released.

Officials determined the townhouse was unoccupied at the time of the blaze.

Damage is estimated to be upwards of $1 million.

The cause of the fire is now being investigated by the London Police Service Street Crime Unit, along with the London Fire Department and Ontario’s Office of the Fire Marshal.

#TRAFFIC Emergency crews are currently at the scene of a working fire in the 400-block of Oakridge Drive. Riverside Drive is currently closed to both east and west-bound traffic between Warren and Wonderland roads. Please chose an alternate route. #ldnont @LdnOntFire pic.twitter.com/C3reE3F7fX

—@lpsmediaoffice

Roads on Riverside between Warren and Wonderland roads were closed in both directions until 10:30 a.m. to allow emergency crews to access the site, but have since reopened.



https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/london-oakridge-fire-1.6284918

Recommended For You