The Ottawa police arson squad believes a Saturday morning fire that displaced four people in Vanier is linked to a trio of intentionally set fires in the east end neighbourhood in April.



“All (the fires are) similar and believed by same person,” Sgt. David Christie of the arson squad said in an email.



“But there is no suspect as of yet.”



All four fires within a five-block radius would appear to have been started in garbage or recycling containers.



In a news release Saturday, Ottawa police advised area residents to take a number of precautions, including “bring in recycling and garbage containers or place them out of sight as the targeted locations have had fires started in recycling and garbage bins adjacent to homes.”





Firefighters were called to the multi-unit, two-story residential building at 278 Shakespeare St. at about 12:45 a.m. Saturday.



They began a fast attack and sounded a second alarm bringing extra firefighters and equipment to the scene. It was declared under control by 1:40 a.m.



Two residents, a 25-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman were at home at the time and have been displaced, as were two other residents who were not on the scene at the time of the fire.



There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $300,000 for building and $100,000 for contents.



The April 10 fires began just after midnight when flames and smoke were spotted pouring out of a house at 253 Deschamps Ave. The fire was eventually upgraded to two alarms.



Shortly after that fire was reported, firefighters were called to a fire at 209 Ste. Anne St. Five people were displaced in that fire and one person had to be rescued from the second floor of the building.



Two hours later, firefighters received a call for heavy smoke and flames at low-rise business at 270 Montreal Rd., with residences above.



Arson squad detectives took over the April cases almost immediately.



Anyone with information regarding any of the fires is asked to call Ottawa police’s arson unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 3770 or Crime Stoppers at 613-236-8477(TIPS) or toll free at 1-800-222-8477.

