Kanata play structure damaged after 3 fires set, police investigating arson

Ottawa police opened an arson investigation after a play structure in Kanata North caught fire on Wednesday evening.

City officials were called to the 100 block of Shirley’s Brook Drive in the west end community on Aug. 6 around 10:00 p.m.

Firefighters said when they got there, three areas “in and around” the play structure were ablaze. One truck responded to the scene and the crew stretched a hose line towards the structure and quickly doused the flames in under 10 minutes.

The three separate fires appeared to firefighters to have been set, and they immediately called Ottawa police, who, after investigation, deemed the incident “suspicious in nature.”

This comes as Ottawa is currently under a burn ban, meaning no open-air fires are permitted within the city. Nick DeFazio, media relations officer with Ottawa fire said this situation could have gotten out of control.

“It’s been really dry in Ottawa, and it’s something to take seriously,” he told CityNews. “All it takes is embers landing on the dry grass and trees for a fire to start quickly.”

The play structure was damaged as a result of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

What you can and can’t burn

The following types of open fires require a permit:

• Brush piles
• Agricultural burns
• Backyard fireplaces
• Chiminea
• Campfires
• Windrows

When in possession of an open fire permit, residents can burn untreated wood, tree limbs and branches. The following items can not be burned under an open fire permit:

• Grass clipping and leaves
• Garbage
• Pressure-treated wood
• Combustibles with toxic fumes
• Flammable liquids
• Plastic and tires