Mt. St. Patrick – Ontario Provincial Police are in the initial stages of an investigation into a fire early Monday morning that damaged a building housing cellular communications equipment on top of Kennelly Mountain near Mount St. Patrick in Greater Madawaska Township.

The building, at the base of the tower, was destroyed in an early morning fire Monday in what police says is suspicious. Equipment inside the building was damaged cutting off all communications from the tower which is used by the Ontario Provincial Police and other provincial ministries and services.

The Calabogie Station of the Greater Madawaska Fire Department was dispatched to the area at 4:13 a.m. The Leader attempted to reach fire officials, but phone calls were not returned.

A release from East Region OPP confirmed Tuesday afternoon an investigation was underway and was in the initial stages.

“While the incident is considered suspicious, we cannot provide any specific details at this time, as it could jeopardize the investigation,” the release stated. “We will provide further details when we are able to do so.”