Sarnia fire and police are investigating two house fires that occurred within two hours of each other early Monday morning.
Firefighters were called to a blaze at a townhouse unit in the 400 block of Kathleen Avenue at around 2:30 a.m.
Public Education Officer Mike Otis said the fire spread to two other attached units. Several people were evacuated but no injuries were reported.
Sarnia Fire Rescue on scene following structure fire on Kathleen Avenue in Sarnia. 2 November 2020. (BlackburnNews.com photo by Colin Gowdy)
While still on scene at the first fire, crews were called to the 600 block of Rayburne Avenue before 4:30 a.m. A house was completely engulfed in flames when they arrived.
Sarnia Police Cst. John Sottosanti said the fire destroyed the residence and caused significant damage to adjacent properties -- it also destroyed a pickup truck in a neighbouring driveway.
Cst. Sottosanti said Sarnia Police Service Criminal Investigation Branch, the Sarnia Fire Department Investigator, and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating what caused both fires.
"In relation to whether or not these two fires are linked, at this time, there's no reason to believe that, but we will be taking everything into consideration."
No injuries were reported in the Rayburne blaze and the area remained closed.
Damage estimates were not immediately available.
-With files from Stephanie Chaves
