A Fonthill home that was destroyed in a suspicious blaze last November has been recently demolished. Barbara Weins, Director of Community Planning and Development said the home was significantly damaged from the fire and a demolition permit was issued for the property on February 7.
“The Town has no further comment at this time,” she said.
The Town of Pelham Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Mayfair Avenue at 12:15 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. At that time, District Chief Ben Gutenberg told PelhamToday that eight fire department vehicles and 27 firefighters from Station 1 in Fonthill and Station 2 in Fenwick attended the scene.
The following day, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) issued a media statement about the fire, which police deemed as suspicious and said an investigation was underway. Police pegged the cost of damage at $700,000 for both the residence and a parked car on the property.
Fire Chief Bob Lymburner said the investigation has likely been completed as the house has been torn down. Asked whether he was aware of the cause of the fire, or if a suspect has been identified, Lymburner said he isn’t privy to that information.
“That would be a police matter and they wouldn’t share that information with us.”
When asked to confirm whether the investigation has been completed, NRPS Constable Jesse Vujasic told PelhamToday the investigation into the blaze “appears to be an active investigation, pending the Office of the Fire Marshal’s report.”