Suspicious fire on Hamilton Mountain under investigation

A fire at a vacant building on the Hamilton Mountain Thursday evening is being investigated as suspicious.

It was one of two structure fires hours apart in the city.

Hamilton fire was called to the 368 Caledon Ave., a house just north of the Lincoln Alexander Parkway between West 5th and Upper James streets, around 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20, said Assistant Deputy Chief Shawn De Jager.

Firefighters found a fire in the basement of the single-storey, unoccupied residence, he said. It was quickly extinguished. Damage is estimated around $20,000.

The cause was determined to be suspicious in nature," De Jager said. The investigation has been turned over to Hamilton police and the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Hours later, just before 3 a.m. Friday, the fire department was called to another, unrelated fire at 3079 Wilson St. W. in Jerseyville. Residents had already fled before firefighters arrived, he said.

Crews performed an aggressive search and fire attack and the fire was extinguished," De Jager said.

This fire, also in the basement, is suspected to have been electrical in nature. Estimated dollar loss is around $35,000.

No injuries were reported and the residents have found somewhere else to stay.

Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com