Early this morning the Sault Ste. Marie OPP were called out to investigate a suspicious fire at a logging operation in the Northland Lake area.
Loggers returning to work at around 4 am arrived to find their large cube truck completely engulfed in fire and quickly spreading to a nearby fuel tanker. After some quick thinking, the vehicles were separated and the fires extinguished with the assistance of the Searchmont Volunteer Fire Department.
It appeared as though somebody had used an axe or other sharp object in an attempt to gain access through the walls of the cube truck which the logging operators used to store all their gear, tools and other items. The culprits finally gained access through a weaker section of one of the back doors.
It was difficult to tell what, if anything, had been taken from the truck due to the amount of damage from the fire itself, as seen in the accompanying photos. The fuel tanker also sustained severe damage with the rear of the vehicle (hose reel compartment) completely destroyed.
The damages are estimated to be in the $300,000 range. The worst part of this senseless crime, the fact that these culprits have put an entire family’s livelihood at jeopardy. Not to mention the other workers this operation employed.
Fortunately nobody was hurt in the incident.
Any person with information regarding the person(s) responsible should immediately contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit information online at www.tipsubmit.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
