Timmins police investigating fire at vacant apartment building

Timmins police are investigating the aftermath of a fire that broke out overnight at a Fifth Street apartment building that was under renovation.

Firefighters from three Timmins fire stations were called to a blaze overnight at a vacant multi-unit residential building on Fifth Avenue.

The call came in around 9:50 p.m. Sunday, Timmins Fire Chief Scott Atkinson told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in a phone interview Monday morning.

There was no one inside when firefighters arrived and the fire was up the side of the building and into the roof at the back, Atkinson said.

The building contained approximately seven or eight units, was under renovation and in the process of changing ownership, he added.

Approximately 20 to 25 firefighters from the Timmins, Schumacher and Mt. Joy stations responded to the blaze and were able to contain it with a defensive attack.

While nearby homes were not damaged by flames, Atkinson said neighbours may have water in their basements due to suppression efforts.

No one was injured in the incident.

Crews were on scene until about 3:30 a.m.

The cause has not yet been confirmed, but Timmins police have been called in to investigate.

The fire department also contacted the fire marshal’s office, which will help if needed.