Early morning fire near Western University considered suspicious

Police are investigating following an early morning basement fire at an unoccupied house near Western University.

Fire crews responded to a working basement fire at 260 Trott Drive before around 2:15 a.m. Thursday.

Platoon Chief Colin Shewell says they were able to get the fire under control within 30 minutes of arriving.

“The fire was well established in the basement, our crews were able to knock it down from the exterior, made entry and made really quick work of it,” said Shewell, adding that no one was inside the home when crews arrived on scene.

“There was some items in there but it seemed to be more student-type residential housing, there was no one at the home at the time, we are trying to get in contact with the owner, hopefully that happens today and then we’ll move forward with the investigation.”

Shewell says the fire call came from someone walking by the residence, as well as campus police at nearby Western University.

Damage is expected to be more than $450,000, but Shewell says that number could climb as the investigation continues.

“At this point we’re working with our London police partners to determine a cause and origin of the fire.”

The Office of the Fire Marshal has been contacted, Shewell expects investigators to be on scene for most of the day.