At about 12:15 AM Thursday, Nov. 16, the Town of Pelham Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a structure fire on Lorimer Street in Fonthill. Upon arrival it was determined that the location was in fact a residence on Mayfair Avenue.
District Chief Ben Gutenberg told PelhamToday that eight fire department vehicles and 27 firefighters from Station 1 (Fonthill) and Station 2 (Fenwick) attended the scene.
On Friday, Nov. 17, Niagara Regional Police issued a media statement terming the fire suspicious.
“The Niagara Regional Police Service is currently investigating a suspicious house fire that occurred on Mayfair Avenue in Pelham on Nov. 16, 2023,” read the statement.
“Pelham Fire Services responded to the incident and successfully extinguished the blaze. The fire resulted in an estimated $700,000 in damages to the residence and a parked car on the property.”
Police say that during the course of the emergency response, Niagara Emergency Medical Services paramedics assessed a female patient at the scene. The patient received medical attention and was subsequently transported to a local hospital for further assessment.
Detectives from the NRPS 3 District (Welland/Pelham) are actively involved in the investigation, collaborating closely with Pelham Fire Services and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Police ask that residents in the area or anyone with information related to the fire are encouraged to contact them at 905 688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009470.
Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.