Vernon fire crews put out arson fire number 19

VERNON – You can hear the frustration in Capt. Dan Walker’s voice as he talks about Vernon Fire and Rescue crews putting out yet another arson fire in the city.

This time someone climbed over the fence at a locked compound behind the Rona Home Centre on 58 Avenue in Vernon’s north end early Saturday morning and set a pile of wooden pallets on fire.

Walker says it was a huge blaze fueled by at least 100 pallets.

He says crews had a tough time getting to the fire because the compound was locked and Rona delivery vehicles were blocking the gate.

Once inside, crews made quick work of the blaze. They kept it from spreading to nearby piles of lumber and the building itself.

Walker says the cause of the fire is suspicious and the RCMP have been called in to help with the investigation.

The pallet fire brings the total of arson fires in Greater Vernon to 19 over the past month or so.

The RCMP are actively searching for the arsonist or arsonists but admit they need a break in the case.

Police are asking the public to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infotelnews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.