It’s been another busy couple of days for Northumberland OPP and first-responders, with emergency crews responding to a major blaze, multiple collisions, stolen vehicle reports, and more.
Here’s your latest OPP rundown:
Investigators don’t suspect foul play in weekend fire:
As previously reported, the Circle K Convenience store in Colborne was ravaged by fire over the weekend.
According to police, OPP and the Township of Cramahe Fire Department responded to the blaze on King Street East around 4 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025.
On Monday, March 24, police noted that at this time foul play is not suspected by investigators.
One individual was reportedly in the store when the fire started but escaped uninjured.
As firefighters tackled the blaze, police shut down the road until about 8:45 a.m.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office was also contacted.
Initial reports suggest damages likely exceed $1 million.
Vehicle stolen from Brighton recovered:
On Saturday, March 22, a nearby regional police service contacted OPP about a vehicle recovered in their area and believed to be stolen from Northumberland.
Officers confirmed that the passenger vehicle had been taken from an address in the Municipality in Brighton on March 12, 2025, reported OPP.
The vehicle was unoccupied, and police said the investigation into the circumstances regarding the theft remains ongoing.
Citizen reports suspected impaired driving:
On Sunday, March 23, shortly after 2 p.m., police said a member of the public reported a suspected impaired driver in a pick-up truck on Hillcrest Road in the Municipality of Port Hope.
Police patrolled the area and found a vehicle in a ditch, and after speaking with the uninjured driver, starting an impaired operation investigation, reported OPP. The accused was then taken into custody and transported to a local detachment for further tests, added police.
As a result of the investigation, police said a 50-year-old Port Hope resident was charged with operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs, and operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus.)
In addition to a future court date for the accused and a further 90-day licence suspension, the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Traffic complaint leads to charges:
On Monday, March 24, at about 12:20 a.m., police said an officer was on patrol on County Road 2 in the Township of Cramahe in response to a traffic complaint about a possible impaired driver.
Police said they located the vehicle matching the description provided and through investigation, found the motorist to be prohibited from driving.
As a result of the investigation, police said a 53-year-old Belleville resident was charged with operation while prohibited, three counts of driving while under suspension, class G1 licence holder – unaccompanied by qualified driver, and class G1 licence holder – drive at unlawful hour.
The accused also had their vehicle impounded for 45 days.
Multiple crashes:
Throughout the weekend, police also responded to a number of collisions, including a single-vehicle crash on Sunday, March 23, at about 8:40 a.m.
The incident occurred on Hwy. 401 eastbound in Cramahe and the vehicle had been reported to roll and come to rest on its roof, said OPP.
Police, EMS and fire answered the call – the driver was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
As traffic was slowing down on approach to an unrelated collision Sunday shortly before 9 a.m. on Hwy. 401 eastbound in Port Hope, a driver was involved in a single-vehicle collision that resulted in minor injuries, reported OPP.
As a result of the investigation, police said an 18-year-old Picton resident was charged with careless driving.
On Monday, March 24, around 8:10 a.m., police said crews responded to a single-vehicle collision report in the County Road 45 and County Road 9 area in Alnwick/Haldimand.
Police said the vehicle was reported to have rolled several times before coming to a rest.
When emergency crews arrived at the scene, all occupants were out of the vehicle. One person was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police are continuing to call on motorists to slow down, stay alert, leave extra space between vehicles and drive according to conditions and hazards.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)