Residents of a Nepean apartment building say someone is deliberately starting fires in their building's garbage chute and stairwells.



Several residents at 1129 Meadowlands Dr. told CBC News there have been at least seven or eight small fires set since January.

Leyla Rodriguez Lecky lives in the seven-storey building with her young son. She says she's worried someone could get hurt.

'It's insane'

"There's been a fire almost every week," said Rodriguez. "When I came out on the fifth floor there was a garbage bag lit on fire...You can smell the smoke though from every single floor. It's insane."

Another resident said she contacted CBC News after hearing reports of similar incidents at an apartment building at 280 Rochester St.

That Ottawa Community Housing highrise is currently the subject of an arson investigation.

Ottawa Fire Services have said at least eight fires have been set in the Rochester Street building's garbage room in the last several months.

Most recent fire Feb. 18

Fire officials could not comment on whether they're also investigating at the Meadowlands building, but they said they've responded to fires there as recently as Thursday.

The Minto Group, the property manager at 1129 Meadowlands Dr, said in a statement that "the small fires in the common areas" are likely due to "vandalism."

"The safety of our residents is our number one priority and we are doing everything we can to resolve this matter, including the installation of additional cameras next week, working with authorities and increasing our security patrols," they said.

The Minto Group is asking residents to report any suspicious activity.

