A vacant building at 284 Plains Rd. E. in Burlington was destroyed by fire on Saturday, May 25 — just four days after an application to redevelop it and two neighbouring properties with a seven-storey residential building was approved.
Although Burlington Fire Department described the cause as suspected arson, and Halton Police confirmed they are investigating a suspected arson — Ontario Fire Marshal spokesperson Sean Driscoll said Monday, May 27 that “given the extent of damage, a reasonable prospect of determining the cause, origin and circumstance could not be made and an OFM fire investigation was not required.”
No injuries or casualties were reported.
Official plan and zoning bylaw amendments for future redevelopment of vacant buildings at 292 and 284 Plains Rd. E., and an existing chiropractic clinic at 276 Plains Rd. were approved by Burlington city council May 21.
The planned seven-storey building replacing all three properties would have 141 residential units and 153 parking spaces.
City bylaw enforcement staff said the two vacant properties have a history of violations, including three complaints each of being open to trespass since 2016. In that eight-year span, 284 Plains also had 11 long grass violations and two graffiti complaints, while 292 Plains had three long grass violations and two garbage violations. Staff said all issues were complied with by the owner.
According to a staff report to Burlington’s May 13 committee of the whole meeting, 284 Plains Rd. E. contained a hairdresser until 2015 and 292 Plains Rd. E. contained offices until 2017.
Mitchell Przewieda, vice-president of applicant Corley Developments, called the recent fire unfortunate.
“We have no additional comment with respect to the fire other than we are thankful there were no injuries and we continue to co-operate with police and fire as best we can in their investigation. We are grateful for their efforts,” Przewieda said.
“We appreciate council’s support last week endorsing our redevelopment plan and look forward to providing new homes in Burlington.”
A Burlington Fire Department news release on May 25 stated the suspected cause of the fire was arson, with damage estimated at $850,000. The release also noted the Fire Marshal’s Office had beem contacted due to “suspicious cause(s), requiring expert investigative assistance to determine cause … Fire damage and loss is estimated at more than $500,000 or significant loss to the community … Fire with unusual origin or circumstances, requiring expert investigative assistance to determine cause.”