A family of red squirrels inadvertently sparked a fire that destroyed a church rectory northeast of Wiarton, investigators have concluded.
The fire broke out early Friday morning at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in the Neyaashiinigmiing First Nation.
The rectory – unoccupied at the time, but typically used to house clergy members – suffered $250,000 worth of damage, and is not considered salvageable.
Investigators considered the fire suspicious, but Bruce Peninsula OPP said Monday that it has now been deemed accidental.
According to police, the fire began when a family of red squirrels, who had been living in the building’s attic, chewed through some electrical wires.
No charges will be laid.
With files from CTV Kitchener.
