Suspected arson at Burlington townhouse complex under construction causes $2M in damages

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal is investigating a suspected arson early Friday morning at a townhouse complex under construction in Burlington.

It’s the second suspected arson at the site following another blaze that broke out on Aug. 2, 2023 and caused about $3 million in damages.

“We did attend about a year ago, some suspicious fires in this complex as well,” Ryan Anderson with Halton police said.

“Those are still under investigation.”

Friday’s blaze happened shortly before 6 a.m. at the property on Turnberry Road near Appleby Line and Dundas Street.

Approximately 27 firefighters arrived to smoke and flames, which they believe started on the main floor of one of the units.

Fire crews say no injuries have been reported at this time.

But, Anderson said while there was no one within the impacted townhomes, there are people living in many of the surrounding units.

“When we have people who are intentionally setting fires to homes that are not yet built, they are attached to homes that are occupied by people, and they’re endangering the lives of people who are sleeping,” Anderson said.

“We take it very seriously.”

The cost of damages is estimated at $2 million.

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