Investigators are probing eight fire scenes in Owen Sound that injured 10 people and displaced several others.

Emergency crews were first dispatched to a retail and residential complex on 2nd Avenue East on Monday at around 2:45 a.m., but a quick thinking resident was able to extinguish the two minor fires before crews arrived.

About an hour later, crews were called to 15th Street East, where a residential building was engulfed in flames. Residents were able to escape without serious injury, but the building was completely destroyed and the houses on either side were badly damaged.

Resident told arriving crews of another fire that had engulfed a townhouse on 4th Avenue East, just south of their current location. Several residents of the townhouse were assisted by emergency crews, while firefighters battled the blaze.

A vehicle parked just outside of the townhouse was also torched, but damage is small.

At 4 a.m., firefighters were notified of a shed fire that had spread to a nearby duplex near the corner of 13th Street and 4th Avenue. Shortly after, a shed in the area of 17th Street and 6th Avenue East also went up in flames. Damage to all three structures is considered significant.

The last fire was report at a shed on 4th Avenue, just east of 13th Street. Investigators say the fire appeared to extinguish its self before crews arrived.

In total 10 people were taken to hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and have since been released. Several other residents have been displaced, including Rose Traplin and her husband.

“We just started to get going again and now this happens,” she says. “We lost our cat and we just can't find her and I'm so worried about her too; my animals mean everything to me.”

Sandra Loughan witnessed the fires in her neighbourhood and could hear a popping sound.

“There was some pop, pop, popping and the smoke was so intense and that unit at the end it was green smoke,” she says.

Owen Sound Police and the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office are treating each individual scene as a criminal investigation. They are expected to remain on scene for the next several days.

At this time, police say no arrests have been made and no suspect descriptions are available. Investigators have not yet confirmed a connection between the fires.

As a result of the fires the city has announced the following closures:

  • 12th Street East and 4th Avenue East
  • 13th Street East and 3rd Avenue East
  • 16th Street East and 6th Avenue East
  • 17th Street East and 4th Avenue East
  • 17th Street East and 3 Rc Avenue East

Residents can expect to see more officers on patrol in all areas of the city and police are asking people to report any suspicious activity.

Residents in need of assistance can contact the Red Cross at the Bayshore or contact 211Ontario.ca.