A few new details are emerging about a suspicious fire that occurred at a recently opened vape retailer in Bradford.
In the early morning hours of May 10, South Simcoe police, Bradford Fire and Emergency Services personnel and County of Simcoe paramedics attended the call for a structure fire at the plaza at 136 Holland St. E., where the North Vapes store was reported to be engulfed in flames.
Police and the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario were both asked to investigate following the suspected arson.
During an update to the Bradford West Gwillimbury/Innisfil Police Services Board May 29, South Simcoe Deputy Chief Sheryl Sutton said a vehicle was seen leaving the area and heading toward Newmarket immediately after the fire broke out.
An officer also located a crowbar outside the store entrance and “smelled a strong odour of gasoline” coming from inside North Vapes.
“Obviously, this was a targeted attack of the store, but that is still under investigation,” she said. “They were able to get surveillance video and there is video of at least two persons inside the business, but at this time they’re still trying to identify those two suspects.”
When asked by BradfordToday following the meeting, Chief John Van Dyke said he could not comment on whether the owners are currently considered suspects.
Other units in the plaza suffered smoke damage — with heavier amounts found in Lil’ Schnitzel and Bangkok Saigon Noodle — and were closed for several days. However, the building itself is considered to be structurally sound.
North Vapes held its grand opening on April 20.
It offered different brands of vaporizers and nicotine-based oils including open pods, closed pods and disposables, plus vaping accessories.