Police looking for white SUV in relation to Reggie's arson

Sault Ste. Marie Police Services have an image of a white SUV and they'd like to talk to whoever was in it

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Fire damage is visible on Monday, July 31, 2017 after a blaze Sunday that caused the evacuation of a number of apartment residents At Reggie's Place on Queen Street. The window that shows sign of burning, next to the door, is now boarded up. Bar-owner Reggie Daigle said the room shows signs of extensive damage. Michael Purvis/SooToday

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Sault Ste. Marie Police Service are looking for occupants of a white SUV in relation to the Sunday fire that took place in the rented rooms above Reggie's Place on Queen Street.

That fire has now been determined to be an arson said Constable Sonny Spina.

Spina said police have an image of a 'newer' white SUV of a currently unknown year make and model.

The SUV was parked behind Reggie's around the time of the fire but was gone before police responded with fire fighters around 5:00 p.m. on Sunday said Spina.

Police are looking to speak with anyone who may have occupied the SUV although they are not necessarily suspects said Spina.

"We don’t know how many people would have been in that (we just want to speak with) anyone that was in it. We know it was in the area around the time. Not to say they were part of the incident," said Spina.

Fire Marshal Timothy Irish said he conducted an investigation into the origin, cause, and circumstances of the fire and determined it should be handed over the police.

Tavern owner Reggie Daigle said some of the residents of the rented rooms are staying at Reggie's West, others with family members, and at least one other at a hotel.

Daigle said the bar is expected to open in a month and the rented rooms are at least two months away from being livable again.

The fire damage is concentrated in one particular room facing the back of the building which is now boarded up said Daigle.

The following is a news release by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service in regards to this incident:

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On July 30th, 2017 at approximately 5:00 p.m. officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service and Fire Services responded to a fire in a second floor unit at 458 Queen Street East.

Officials with the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office were called to assist and the cause of the fire was later determined to be arson.

Officers with the Investigation Services Division of the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service are continuing this investigation. A white SUV was observed in the area directly behind this address during the time of the fire and officers would like to speak to the driver/passenger of this vehicle and any other witness that may have information about this investigation.