Suspicious Fire at Old Hospital in Sudbury Sparks Investigation
Shortly after midnight on Tuesday, a fire broke out near the old St. Joseph’s Hospital site in Sudbury, Ontario, resulting in emergency crews and many people following the developments. Because the fire clearly damaged the old building, local cops now believe it may have been caused on purpose.
What Happened?
Firefighters arrived at the scene just before 3 a.m. on May 21 after getting reports of smoke from the closed hospital on Paris Street. It took Sudbury Fire Services some time to get the fire under control, after it first broke out on the upper levels of the building.
Fortunately, there were no injuries because no one has lived in the building for a very long time. But some people are cautious because the building is built next to others and is situated in a residential and institutional zone of Sudbury.
Read more on CTV Northern Ontario
Why Is the Fire Considered Suspicious?
Authorities believe the fire was started unnaturally and as a result a team made up of Sudbury Fire Services, the Greater Sudbury Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.
Authorities are still investigating, but have not ruled arson out.
Until we know otherwise, we are treating this as a suspicious incident, the fire department added.
You can follow more updates on this investigation in our Ontario News section.
A History of the Hospital
There have been repeated calls over the years to either redevelop or tear down the closed former St. Joseph’s Health Centre. Many from the community have been concerned about the facility being unsafe and at a high risk of vandals and trespassers.
During the past few years, derelict and unsupervised places in Canada have become sites for gang-related violence, highlighting the difficulties of urban property management.
Learn more about Canada’s derelict property regulations from Canada.ca
Community Reaction
Sudbury residents were worried by the fire and wondered if it was caused by someone intentionally. A lot of people are urging city officials to move more quickly on either refurbishing or safely removing the structure from the site.
According to local community advocate Maria Dube, the property has been a bother for some time. Perhaps now officials will work harder to keep the area safe.
What has happened at the old hospital site in Sudbury raises serious questions about safety, the state of local infrastructure and community involvement. Investigations are giving residents hope that this event finally addresses their previous concerns.
Stay updated on this developing story in our Local News section.
