August 27, 2026

OPP DIVE TEAM REMAINED IN SERVICE AFTER FIRE, POLICE SAY; BUT NO TALKS YET ABOUT LONG-TERM FUTURE OF GRAVENHURST AS LOCATION FOR ONTARIO USRU SITE AND ABOUT WHETHER TO ‘REPAIR, RENOVATE AND RE-OPEN’

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GRAVENHURST — A hulking black shell of a burned out police truck was a stark reminder this morning of a weekend fire that threatened the OPP’s Underwater Search and Rescue Unit here.

A sooty smell hung over it in the parking lot here at its provincial headquarters as security fencing went up around it and a security guard stood watch.

While Saturday night’s blazing “incident has impacted the facility and some of the equipment, the OPP USRU continues to maintain the capability to respond to search and recovery operations throughout Ontario,” they say in an email response Thursday to MuskokaTODAY.com questions.

“Following the fire, the OPP Continuity of Operations Program was activated to support the continued delivery of critical services affected by the fire. And at this time, operational continuity measures are in place, and full OPP USRU response capabilities are expected to be restored within the coming weeks.

“If during this time, operational demands exceed available resources, additional support can be requested from policing partners as needed.”

**The charred remains of an USRU truck, out in the parking lot today, was hauled out from where fire destroyed it Saturday in Gravenhurst. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont MuskokaTODAY.com**

Their email added: “As the investigation into the fire remains ongoing, any questions regarding the cause of the incident should be directed to the Office of the Fire Marshal.”

A call to the OFM spokesperson Jim Demetriou this afternoon had him reply by saying there is “nothing I can share with you at this point. I have nothing new at this point.”

As far as whether there is a separate OPP investigation, Demetriou added: “Not that I’m aware of, but if they if they’re doing an independent one that would have nothing to do with us.”

Local detachment police said Sunday it “isn’t deemed suspicious at this time.”

He said the OFM had two inspectors and an engineer on site Sunday, Monday and Tuesday under the direction of lead investigator Jill Carter.

See more from that phone interview below.

**The back side of the truck looked was half open from fire effects.**

OPP response today to TODAY.com

We asked the OPP this morning about whether they had any early indication of where the fire started and a possible cause.

We also asked whether it now back business as usual, its back-up plan, and where the USRU team will work from — home, the Orillia HQ or possibly the former Ontario Fire College.

Or somewhere elsewhere?

We also asked: Is it the OPP’s intention now to remain, renovate and reopen in Gravenhurst?

And an approximation of how long that might take.

They replied just afternoon with this follow-up statement in response to those questions:

“The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Underwater Search and Recovery Unit (USRU) continues to provide service across Ontario.

“During this time, the OPP is working to identify suitable temporary accommodations for USRU members as well as procuring replacement equipment to ensure operational readiness and continuity of service.

“It is too early to determine how long operations at the Gravenhurst facility will be affected. Similarly, discussions regarding the long-term future of the facility, including potential repairs, renovation, or reopening, have not yet occurred.

“The priority has been maintaining operational capability and supporting USRU members.

“The OPP remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted underwater search and recovery services for communities across the province.”

**The truck’s remains sit Thursday waing to be hauled off site for either further inspection or eventually to a scrap dealer.**

What’s next for OFM investigators?

The OFM’s Demetriou reiterated: “I can’t share anything with you at this point because they’re like I have nothing new at this point.”

What happens next with the investigation?

“Basically it’s a series of things that could happen,” he said. “So I haven’t spoken to Jill yet.

“If there is forensics that needs to be done, that’s another process. If they need to process any evidence that they’ve gathered from the scene, that’s another process right there.

“So there’s such a number of factors. It’s not an overnight thing. That’s what the problem is some people think. ‘Wow! Why is it taking so long?’

“Because there’s a number of factors in this.

“I wish I could sit here and say to you that everything’s so straightforward when in fact, everything’s not straightforward whatsoever,” Demetriou said.