Police investigating two “suspicious” fires in Ajax

A fire at a commercial strip plaza in south Ajax Sunday morning that caused extensive damage to at least five units has been deemed “suspicious” by Durham Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall.

The fire was one of two that happened within 25 minutes of each other that morning. Both blazes are being investigated.

West Division officers responded to a call at 4:25 a.m. near Harwood Avenue and Chapman Drive for a vehicle on fire in a residential driveway. The second call happened at 5 a.m. and resulted in multiple businesses catching fire at a strip plaza at Westney Rd. S. and Bayly St. W. as firefighters battled heavy flames and smoke to extinguish the blaze.

The Fire Marshal’s office was on the scene and both fires have been deemed suspicious. It is unknown at this time if the two incidents are related.

There were no reported injuries in either incident and police are looking for anyone who has information or video footage, including dash cam, to come forward and contact D/Cst. Shaddick or D/Cst. Street of West Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2531/2074.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.

Drone video from the Ajax fire from this morning on Westney Rd pic.twitter.com/ZUawvUbUwf

— Colin Williamson (@ColinWxchaser) August 6, 2023