A weekend house fire on Herbert Street in Russell Township has left a home heavily damaged and sparked a police investigation. 

At approximately 1:55 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, Russell County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to reports of a residential fire. The Nation Township Fire Services were already on scene working to bring the blaze under control. 

While firefighters quickly contained the flames, the home sustained significant damage from both the fire and the water used to extinguish it. The OPP’s Forensic Identification Services and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) also attended the scene to assist with the investigation. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Russell County OPP at 613-443-4499 or the OPP Communication Centre at 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.