UPDATE: Multiple-arson investigation continues in Alfred

An early-morning suspicious fire at a residence on County Road 17 just west of Alfred on Sunday, December 18 is being investigated by Ontario Provincial Police and the Ontario Fire Marshal's office as arson - and is connected to another incident in the area.

"There was a fire at the residence on County Road 17, which is under investigation," confirmed OPP Const. Pierre Dubois. "It could also be linked to another fire where we're suspecting arson."

There are no official suspects in the investigation, though police are connecting this incident to a recent vehicle fire on Saturday, December 17 on Concession 2 Road, east of Boundary Road. Police responded to the call that night at 11:49 p.m., when officers found a green 1999 Ford pickup truck parked in a field.

"The vehicle was engulfed in flames, which we believe is linked with the fire on County Road 17," said Dubois. "As we speak they're investigating, and we might have other developments in the future."

The Alfred-Plantagenet fire department was already on scene to extinguish the fire. No one was in the vehicle nor seen in the area. However, the incident led officers to the County Road 17 residence, which belonged to the vehicle's owner.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers found it had already been broken into and a fire had started. Heavy smoke prevented them from entering the home, though the fire department eventually quelled the situation.

Dubois said there were no injuries reported and the house was empty at the time of the fire. The house itself, however, sustained quite a bit of damage due to smoke and water.

"Smoke and water usually are the culprits," he noted. "The house is still standing, not intact but still on its foundation, and has sustained some damages."

Investigators believe the fire was started by the perpetrators at the residence, at which point the pickup truck was stolen and set on fire on Concession 2 Road.

Police have been canvassing the area to search for any potential witnesses. The OPP identification unit, the Hawkesbury OPP and the Office of the Fire Marshal were attending the scene on County Road 17 on Monday as the investigation continued.