Fires plague Rainy River over the weekend

By Ken Johnston
Editor

Adding to the recent fire at the former Mel Weafer residence a few weeks ago, there were two more fires this past weekend in Rainy River that appear to be suspicious in nature.
Friday evening Rainy River and Dawson Volunteer Fire Departments were summoned to 73 Main St. (just north of the RR International Bridge) to a house fire. The former home of Roger (Peanut) Arnould was vacant.
Both fire depts. entered the side of the home and extinguished the fire. There was reportedly no electricity to the house, and no cause has been determined as of yet.
Then just after mid-night, around 12:15 a.m. a neighbour called in a fire at the Bud Hannam residence at 203 River Ave. Rainy River Fire-fighters arrived to a fire in the garage. Hannam’s convertible car was on fire and according to sources the fire appeared to be deliberately set with gas cans in the garage that did not belong to the Hannams.
Both structures were saved, but there was extensive smoke damage to both and Hannam’s car was a total loss.
The O.P.P. responded to both fires as well. They would not say if the two weekend fires or the recent Weafer fire were related. OPP Scenes of Crime officers, Rainy River District Crime Unit and the Northwest Region Identification Services are assisting with this investigation. The Ontario Fire Marshall’s office has been consulted and the investigation is continuing into the cause of the fire.
Police cannot speculate that the cause of each fire is related at this time. The investigators from each respective agency are working together to ensure a thorough and timely investigation is completed.
One member of the fire dept. said that arson has not been ruled out in the two fires over the weekend.