Sturgeon gas station fire considered "suspicious"

Two people were seen fleeing the building at the time the blaze first broke out.

Yesterday’s morning commute was interrupted when Front street was closed for several hours due to a fire at the now closed Mobil gas station in Sturgeon Falls.

The fire occurred at 162 Front Street which also has a pizza restaurant and a repair shop.

The fire started around 7AM and fire crews were able to get the blaze under control by 8AM.

According to witnesses, two people were seen fleeing the vacant building at the time the blaze first broke out. West Nipissing’s fire chief, Frank Loeffen, told Baytoday yesterday that the fire is considered suspicious.

He said "The investigation has been turned over to the Ontario Provincial Police Crime Unit and the Fire Marshall's Office has been notified and we will be involved in it as well”.

Second suspicious fire investigation this week

On Thursday, the OPP advised the public that they were investigating another suspicious fire in West Nipissing. In a news release, police stated that a vehicle was set on fire at a business in River Valley on June 14th. Two people were observed traveling on an ATV, then approached the vehicle and started the fire. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and officers are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the individuals involved.

If anyone has any information regarding any of these investigations, please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

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