Arson suspected in new batch of tow truck fires in Oshawa

A new batch of tow truck fires in Oshawa is being investigated as arson.

Several tow trucks were set ablaze shortly before 4 a.m. on May 8, according to Durham Police. The trucks were sitting in the industrial area near Farewell Street and Raleigh Avenue, just south of Highway 401 and east of Ritson Road.

The area is home to several automotive businesses such as a mechanic, a Durham Region Transit bus depot and Jim’s Towing.

When first responders arrived, they found five to six tow trucks and a personal vehicle fully engulfed in flame.

“At this time, this incident is being treated as arson and a police investigation has commenced,” said as police spokesman.

Tow truck fires have grown increasingly common in the GTA in recent years. Most recently in Durham Region two trucks were set ablaze in Clarington at the end of September. This fire occurred near Middle Road and Northglen Boulevard in north Bowmanville.

Another batch of trucks was set on fire earlier that month near Capilano Crescent in north Oshawa. These fires were also set around 4 a.m. Only a few weeks before another truck burned about ten kilometres north at Norwill Crescent. And just days before that, another tow truck fire was reported in Ajax.

These arsons have also been reported in Burlington, Hamilton, and Richmond Hill. The arsons have been described as a turf war by some in the industry.