A fire that destroyed an Alliston feed mill early Friday morning is being treated as a criminal investigation.
The fire lit up downtown Alliston at around 2 a.m. after flames engulfed the working feed mill on Albert Street. As a precaution, firefighters evacuated several nearby homes.
"Oh it was just an inferno of fire, up over the tree tops, cinders were blowing over the next street," neighbour Judy McCarroll described.
It took several hours, but the fire is under control.
OPP Const. Harry Lawrenson says the fire is being treated as suspicious, adding no one has been taken into custody.
Police are trying to figure out if this fire is linked to cases of arson at a nearby school and tennis club.
"We've determined that there are some similarities between this fire, and other ones that are still under investigation,” Lawrenson says.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene and is assisting investigators with the probe. Heavy equipment is being brought in to help move debris.
A damage estimate and an exact cause have not been released.
Crews will be back at the scene on Saturday.
