Police investigating fire at abandoned Ancaster home hit by 'hate-related' crimes

The Hamilton police arson unit is probing a fire at an abandoned house in Ancaster that investigators say has been targeted by trespassing, other arsons and even hate-related offences in the past.

Emergency crews were called to the building at 820 Sulphur Springs Rd. just before 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Police say when they arrived, along with fire officials, four stone exterior walls were the only structures still standing.

The house, which sits about 200 metres from the road and on about 57 acres of rural property, has been hit by crimes in the past, police said in a press release.

"At this point in the investigation, it is difficult to suggest whether or not this is a specifically targeted incident," it reads. "In the past, the property's secluded location has provided an opportunity for various types of criminal offences ranging from trespassing, mischief to property, and arsons."

Investigators say police have classified some of those past incidents as "hate-related" offences. Sandy Shaw, NDP MPP for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas, said some of the graffiti was anti-Semitic in nature, and that she was "absolutely disgusted."

"Hamilton and Ancaster are welcoming places, where expressions of hatred and violence against any person or group based on their religion, racial or ethnic background, or their sexual or gender identity cannot be accepted," she said in a statement. "No one should feel unsafe in our city."

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Det. Const. Greg Blunsdon at 905-540-3819 or Crime Stoppers.