Neighbors in the southern tip of Oshawa were shocked to find an elderly woman in critical condition in a suspicious fire.
The Oshawa fire brigade was dispatched to 250 McNaughton Street around 12:30 am on Saturday.
Deputy Fire Chief Steve Burkwell said the fire appeared to have started on the main floor and caused thousands of dollars in damage.
Police were also dispatched to the scene, but two crew members were found to have escaped. But sergeant. Durham Local Police Officer Joan Bortras said one of them, an elderly woman, was taken to a local hospital.
“A 67-year-old woman was taken to the hospital with smoke inhalation, initially in a life-threatening condition, and then escalated to a serious condition,” Bortras said.
Police say they know each other, although their relationship is unknown.
Both the Ontario Fire and Safety Service and the Durham Police have determined the cause to be arson.
Members of the Criminal Investigation Bureau are now trying to determine the cause of the fire.
Police declined to comment on why CIB was involved, but detectives said they were looking for help.
“They are responsible for all kinds of criminal investigations,” Bortras said. “They are trying to identify and build a timeline leading up to the cause of this fire.”
Investigators were at the scene all day Sunday, gathering evidence at their home. The incident came as a surprise to Anthony Bianca, who lives down the street.
“It sucks,” says Bianca, who moved to the area just a few years ago.
“I saw the Ontario fire department vehicles and thought, ‘Oh my God, I hope no one was hurt.’ And then I heard on the news that someone had been hospitalized.
Police are now seeking anyone with information or surveillance footage that could help them contact Durham Police or call CrimeStoppers.
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