A major fire that caused $1.5 million damage to a popular northeast London pizza place has been deemed suspicious.
Firefighters were called to the Pizza Hut restaurant at 1326 Huron Street, just off of Highbury Avenue around 3:40 p.m. Tuesday. Upon arrival, crews were met with heavy smoke and flames coming from the back of the building.
“We utilized our aerial apparatus to protect exposures and fight the fire from an elevated vantage point,” said Platoon Chief Gary Mosburger. “You can have a wind driven fire that can create some problems for firefighters, that didn’t become a problem for us Tuesday, so that in itself was very fortunate.”
Patrons and staff at the restaurant and neighbouring buildings in the plaza made it out safely before crews arrived. No injuries were reported. Huron Street at Highbury Avenue was closed, as was the right lane of northbound Highbury while firefighters battled the fire. All lanes were reopened late Tuesday night.
Investigators from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, the London Fire Department, and the London police street crime unit are working to determine the cause of the fire and are expected to remain on scene throughout the day on Wednesday.
Police have confirmed the blaze is considered “suspicious in nature.”
They are asking anyone with information to call them at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Update 3 – incident commander has deemed this lightweight construction building as a defensive fire, Second aerial has been deployed fighting the fire from an elevated vantage point. Safety is of upmost importance. pic.twitter.com/wDWY9Imq2N
— London Fire Department (@LdnOntFire) May 31, 2022
