Police investigating series of 11 arsons in Elliot Lake

Police in Elliot Lake say almost a dozen fires have been set in the community since last fall, beginning last October when a horse trailer was set ablaze.

Ontario Provincial Police say it is investigating a series of 11 fires in Elliot Lake after four more were allegedly set in March.

The first fire happened at an art school on Spine Road on Oct. 19 when a horse trailer was set ablaze, OPP said in a news release Wednesday.

Four fires involving vehicles and a camper trailer happened in February.

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A pickup truck was set on fire Feb. 10 at a church on Ottawa Avenue, and then two more vehicles and the camper were burned at businesses and a storage lot in the Perini Road and Fox Drive area in three separate instances.

“On March 11, a tractor at an abandoned school on Roman Avenue was set on fire for the second time,” OPP said.

“On March 26 and 29, three pickup trucks parked along Fox Drive were targeted -- two trucks sustained fire damage, and an attempt was made to set a third vehicle on fire.”

So far this month, crews have been called to two fires involving campers.

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“On April 3, a property on Fox Drive was targeted again, with an attempt to set a camper trailer ablaze,” OPP said.

“On April 7, a travel trailer was completely burned down to its frame on Boland River Road, north of the City of Elliot Lake.”

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The suspect(s) left before emergency services arrived in each case.

“Any person with information regarding these fires should immediately contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122,” police said.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 and online.

“You may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000 and you will not have to testify in court,” police said.