Fire at historic, abandoned Liverpool home suspicious, RCMP say
The house at 89 Main St. in Liverpool before fire destroyed it on May 13. RCMP say the fire was suspicious. (Top photo: Google Streetview; bottom photo: Rick Conrad)
Queens District RCMP are asking for the public’s help in investigating a ‘suspicious’ fire at 89 Main St. in Liverpool in May.
“In this case, because the investigation is ongoing, I can’t provide additional comments without jeopardizing the integrity of the investigation,” RCMP spokesman Cpl. Guillaume Tremblay told QCCR on Wednesday.
“But I can tell you from the information gathered, it does indicate it is suspicious in nature. And we are looking for tips from the public to advance the investigation.”
Fire services from around Queens County and RCMP officers responded to the fire at 4:40 a.m. on May 13. The historic house, known as the Hendry House, was abandoned at the time. Nobody was injured.
The Liverpool Fire Department referred it to the RCMP for investigation.
The blaze destroyed the house, which local historian Tim MacDonald said was built around 1893 and was owned by former Liverpool mayor, ship owner and businessman A.W. Hendry.
Firefighters tore down the remaining structure. The Region of Queens erected a fence around the property.
And on Tuesday, regional councillors voted to declare the site dangerous and unsightly. They gave the property owner seven days to clean it up.
According to Nova Scotia property records, 89 Main St. is owned by Rosemarie Jacob. It’s one of 14 properties she owns in Liverpool, Brooklyn, Italy Cross, Lunenburg Co., and East Baccaro, Shelburne Co.
If Jacob does not appeal the municipal cleanup order by June 18, the municipality will do it and charge the cost to her as a lien on the property.
There are two mailing addresses listed for Jacob in property records. One is a post office box in Brooklyn. The other is a PO box in Liverpool.
Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman said Tuesday that Jacob is hard to find.
“Staff have used every avenue they have to contact the owner. However, unfortunately, that owner leaves very little contact information. We have simply been unable to contact the owner.”
RCMP are asking anyone with information about the fire to contact Queens District RCMP at 902-354-5721. If you want to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
Email: rickconradqccr@gmail.com
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