A man and woman were in critical condition Saturday after one of three fires to strike London in fewer than 24 hours, the other two blazes drawing suspicion from investigators.

A 57-year-old man and 40-year-old woman pulled from apartments at 214 Egerton St. Friday evening were stabilized overnight at a London hospital but still in critical condition.

“They’re not out of harm’s way,” Deputy Fire Chief Jack Burt told The Free Press Saturday morning outside the two-storey home, located just north of Hamilton Road, that neighbours said had been converted to contain five apartments.

The fire was one of three in a little more than 12 hours. About half a kilometre away from the Egerton blaze, a fire was found at about midnight at 216 Margaret Street. A third fire was called in about 10 a.m. Saturday at 257 Merlin Crescent, at the corner of Wavell Street, above a variety story.

While the second and third fires caused no injuries, local investigators called in the Ontario’s Fire Marshal’s Office, which investigates whenever there is either serious injury or suspicion of a criminal act that caused a fire.

Between the three fires and a hazardous material call after someone inhaled an irritant while mixing cleaning products, every fire station but one in London was on the move, either to assist or to adjust how crews were deployed to cover the city.