Larry Presseau thinks a fire at a Roseview Avenue home was “probably the best thing that could happen” in the neighbourhood.
Waterloo Regional Police are currently working with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office to investigate a “suspicious” fire Thursday in east Galt.
Five stations were called to 91 Roseview Ave., at around 9 p.m., to battle the blaze, and knocked down the fire at approximately midnight, said Eric Yates, chief fire prevention officer.
Yates said no one was in the home at the time of the fire.
Presseau said the fire was “quite the spectacle,” with flames shooting 30 to 40 feet out of the side of the home.
With the smell of smoke still in the air Friday morning, and two police officers milling around the backyard of the home, Presseau said the house is visited regularly by police.
“ I think that’s the third fire they’ve had ,” he said.
Police were at the residence earlier this month after someone fired multiple shots into the home before fleeing on foot. Police said there was no one home at the time of the shooting, but they believe it was targeted.
“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the fire is connected to the shooting,” said Const. Chris Iden, a police public information officer.
Neighbours were seen Friday morning stopping to take a look at the remains of the house, with blackened brick over the windows, and various items from the home, including a baby carriage, pillows and blankets, strewn on the lawn and porch. In the backyard, scorched debris sat in the grass.
A top floor window was broken, while most of the windows on the ground floor were gone.
“Nobody in this neighbourhood’s going to miss it, guaranteed.” Presseau said.