Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Only a few exterior walls of the Lennox Agricultural Memorial Community Centre were left standing following a ‘suspicious’ fire that started early Monday morning.
Fire crews arrived on scene just before 3 a.m. and quickly evacuated 20 neighbouring homes as a precaution, with no injuries reported to any civilian or firefighter.
“Crews from Napanee, all three stations, Loyalist, Odessa station, Amherstview station, Kingston at the request through our mutual aid coordinator sent us aerials, one from Kingston, one from Loyalist and a pumper to cover off our stations in Napanee,” Greater Napanee Fire Chief Bill Hammond told the Beaver at the scene while firefighters continue to douse hot spots with water. “At the height of the fire we had nine apparatus working the fire and 36 staff. The fire was through the roof on the alpha-bravo side (front and left if looking at main entrance) of the structure upon arrival. Heavy fire in an old bowstring truss two-storey building. Crews worked for about two-and-half hours to control the fire and contain it with many crews operating in a defensive mode.”
Residents reported hearing several explosions in the early morning, with pieces of the roof found on the next couple of blocks.
The back of the building as seen from the Napanee Fairgrounds. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
“It’s a very suspicious fire,” said Hammond, but noted no cause had yet been determined. “The fire is still under investigation. (Ontario Fire Marshal has) been called and OPP have requested there crimes units to also attend. OPP now have care of the scene as far as people in and out and we’re still actively fighting hot spots at this time.”
Through the quick response of firefighters, no other structures were damaged, including the Napanee and District Curling Club.
The view from the back entrance, with a clear view through to the street. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Built in 1955, the Lennox Agricultural Memorial Community Centre served as the town’s ice rink before being replaced by the Strathcona Paper Centre. More recently the building has been used for community groups such as the Napanee Sea Cadets, 4-H and for exhibits during the Napanee Fair. From 2019-22 the building was rented as an indoor roller rink known as Disco Ball Events.
Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
A small fire started up on the roof several hours after the original blaze. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Also in the early morning hours, L&A County OPP and the Stone Mills Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a residence in Stone Mills Township. No one was injured in this fire.
An investigation is ongoing by the L&A County OPP in conjunction with the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.
Damage to a house and car in Stone Mills caused by a fire the police also deem suspicious. Photo by OPP.
Investigators are asking anyone who lives in the area of the agricultural building and who may have home surveillance cameras or dash camera video to upload a copy of their footage taken between 1:30 and 3:00 a.m. on Oct. 23 using the following secure evidence submission portal: https://bit.ly/napanee_agbuilding_fire.
Police are seeking the public’s assistance and ask that if you or someone you know has information concerning the fires to contact the Lennox and Addington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or online at Crimestoppers.ca.