A thief was siphoning gasoline from vans on York Avenue in London earlier than a large hearth broke out in a storage yard.

U-Haul instructed CTV Information London an explosion occurred at 745 York St. round 1 a.m.

Hours later, a photographer from the London Police Service (LPS) Forensics Division was on scene taking pictures of charred automobiles.

“The investigation has been turned over to members of our Avenue Crime Unit and so they’re working with the London Hearth Division (LFD) in relation to what transpired,” stated Const. Sandasha Bough of the LPS.

Residents known as 9-1-1 after seeing the fireplace.

Neighbour Brandon Palmer captured video of the huge hearth at 745 York St. in London, Ont. Six U-Haul vans have been destroyed after a fireplace began shortly after a suspect was siphoning gasoline (Supply: Brandon Palmer)“At first I assumed it was fireworks as a result of individuals are continuously lighting them off their balconies,” stated neighbour Brandon Palmer. “Then my daughter yelled, ‘Dad, the vans are on hearth.’ I appeared out and it appeared like there have been 10 on hearth and exploding.”

LFP Platoon Chief Kirk Loveland stated it was six vans that have been concerned.

“They have been absolutely concerned in hearth and crews arrived and did an offensive assault to mitigate the fireplace and cease any additional harm,” stated Loveland, who defined the vans’ proximity to one another made it troublesome.

Additionally they fearful a few potential explosion resulting from open gasoline vapours.

Burned Jerry cans are on the bottom in between automobiles at 745 York St. in London, Ont. on Feb. 8, 2023. A thief was siphoning gasoline simply earlier than a large hearth destroying six U-Haul vans. (Brent Lale/CTV Information London)

“The crews have a tough time working across the automobiles as a result of they’re all packed in for parking,” stated Loveland. “There isn’t a variety of room to maneuver hoses or get folks or tools into the scene. So we did have to herald a water provide from a hydrant as a result of there was not a lot hearth happening in these automobiles.”

An worker on scene stated he hasn’t slept for the reason that incident occurred, and instructed CTV Information London to contact firm headquarters.

“We aren’t completely satisfied about it however hopefully the individual has been caught and this would possibly not occur once more,” stated David Anstett, U-Haul firm president of Western Ontario in an announcement.

He added the shop continues to be working.

A London Police Providers forensics photographer takes pictures of the charred automobiles within the U-Haul parking zone at 745 York St. in London, Ont. on Feb. 8, 2023. (Brent Lale/CTV Information London)“The vans that have been destroyed or broken are being faraway from the lot at the moment, and it is enterprise as regular. We need to thank the London neighborhood for its help,” Anstett added.

Police stated one individual was arrested close by and stays in custody. 

Anybody with data in relation to this incident is requested to name the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Info may also be despatched in on-line anonymously to London Elgin Middlesex Crime Stoppers.