Police Continue to Investigate a Suspicious Fire in Kitchener
UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE:
Waterloo Regional Police are continuing to investigate a suspicious fire and a missing person incident in Kitchener.
On October 19, 2025, at approximately 6 a.m., emergency services responded to a house fire on Major Street. Upon arrival, the Kitchener Fire Department located a unit at the rear of the residence fully engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished, but it caused significant damage to the property.
Police are treating the fire as arson.
Investigators have not been able to locate the resident of the rear unit, Eli Wood, 25. Investigators believe there are suspicious circumstances surrounding the disappearance and that this is a targeted incident.
Eli Wood is described as approximately 4'10" tall, weighing between 85 and 95 pounds, with green eyes, partial white eyebrows and eyelashes, and white patches of hair. Eli has a flower and seahorse tattoo on the left forearm and a rainbow tattoo on the right upper arm.
Police would like to check Eli’s wellbeing.
The investigation is ongoing by members WRPS’ General Investigations and Major Crime Units, in collaboration with the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service at 519-570-9777, extension 8191.
Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.
PREVIOUS MEDIA RELEASE:
Waterloo Regional Police Service is investigating a residential fire that occurred in Kitchener.
On October 19, 2025, at approximately 6 a.m., emergency services responded to a house fire on Major Street.
Upon arrival, the Kitchener Fire Department located a unit at the rear of the residence fully engulfed in flames. The fire was extinguished, but it caused significant damage to the property.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, however, police are treating the incident as suspicious.
The investigation is ongoing in collaboration with the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Waterloo Regional Police Service at 519-570-9777. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.waterloocrimestoppers.com.