Two suspicious fires hours apart at Stone Church Road East gym

Two suspicious fires, hours apart, at Crunch Fitness on Stone Church Road East on Wednesday night are under investigation.

The first was a vehicle fire in the parking lot at 1215 Stone Church Rd. E., around 4:30 p.m., Feb. 16.

The fire appears suspicious and the investigation has been forwarded to the Hamilton police arson unit, said Const. Indy Bharaj.

Hours later Hamilton fire and police were called back to the gym around 10:55 p.m., for a report of a structure fire in the building.

Everyone got out safely and there were no reported injuries, Bharaj said.

The fire, which caused an estimated $100,000 in damage, also appears to be suspicious. The Office of the Fire Marshal and the Hamilton police arson unit have been called.

Police continue to hold the scene Thursday morning.

It remains unclear if the two fires are connected.

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