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Ontario house fire that drew U.S. response was case of arson: police

U.S. border agents evacuated residents of a home burning on the Canadian side of the Niagara River shoreline.
U.S. border agents evacuated residents of a home burning on the Canadian side of the Niagara River shoreline. (U.S. Border Patrol)

NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – Niagara regional police say a house fire that was spotted by a U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat last week is a case of arson.

Police say the fire in the city of Niagara Falls, Ont., was at a vacant home that was destroyed in the overnight blaze.

U.S. border agents discovered the fire shortly after 1 a.m. last Thursday and, after not seeing any initial signs of fire or rescue vehicles, set off their sirens and shone spotlights to alert residents.

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An initial report said the patrol agents led a family of four out of the burning home but Niagara police say neighbouring homes were the ones evacuated while the home on fire was found to be unoccupied.

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Niagara police say the home was under construction at the time of the incident.

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They say the Ontario Fire Marshall has ruled the fire to be a case of arson.

Anyone who may have been in the area or who may have knowledge of the incident is being asked to contact Niagara police.

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