H&B blaze deemed suspicious, cause undetermined

The fire scene at the former H&B property in Wallaceburg on Saturday, December 30, 2017 (Dana Haggith)

The fire at the old H&B factory in Wallaceburg has been deemed suspicious, Chatham-Kent Police Service officials say.

Const. Kelly Helbin, public information officer, told the Sydenham Current the investigation remains on-going by the Criminal Investigation Division.

“Unfortunately, there are no updates at this time, Helbin said.

“The investigation remains on-going as a suspicious fire.”

Anyone with information about the blaze is asked to contact Detective Constable Hamilton at 519-436-6600 ext. 284.

Bob Davidson, assistant fire chief, told the Sydenham Current the cause of the blaze will be listed as undetermined.

Chatham-Kent Fire & Emergency Services officials say firefighters were called to the former Hillerich and Bradsby (H&B) building in Wallaceburg at 7:08 p.m. on Friday evening, December 29.

Firefighters from Station #3 in Wallaceburg arrived to find a working fire in the former factory at 21 Arnold Street, fire officials say.

An estimated $500,000 damage was caused, while $100,000 worth of property was saved.

A house at the back of the property was exposed to the blaze, along with an industrial occupancy to the south of the property, fire officials said.

Chatham-Kent Police Service officials say the building was abandoned and there were no injuries reported.

Firefighters from Station #1 and Station #2 in Chatham, along with the volunteer firefighters in Wallaceburg, helped the Wallaceburg firefighters battle the blaze.

Davidson says firefighters were on the scene for approximately 22 hours.

Here are some more videos of the scene taken in the afternoon on Saturday, December 30:

Here is our coverage on the fire up to this point:

Investigation launched after H&B fire in Wallaceburg

Fire at old H&B building in Wallaceburg (Video)


– Photo credit: Dana Haggith

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