Number of suspected arsons climbs to nine

VERNON – Police continue to investigate a series of suspected arsons as the number of suspicious fires grows to nine within the city.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says police are looking into two fires from the weekend, one a torched car at the Kia dealership and the other a motor home on 26 Street.

Molendyk says a house fire Saturday is unrelated to the rash of arsons.

“We are looking at each and every one of those (fires) and looking for similarities, trying to get to the bottom of it,” Molendyk says.

Investigators are analyzing the fires for patterns and checking video surveillance footage where it’s available.

“The concern for us is all of the time that is utilized for emergency personnel—fire department and police investigating these,” Molendyk says. “And the escalation; sooner or later we are afraid that somebody is going to get hurt.”

RCMP aren’t sure if one person or several are behind the fires, but he says the targets—which have included dumpsters, a porta-potty, vacant buildings, a boat and now vehicles—are escalating.

“Quite often that’s what happens, starts small and then goes bigger,” Molendyk says.

The RCMP is asking anyone who witnessed the fires, suspicious activity in the area, or individuals in the vicinity to contact the police detachment at 250-545-7171 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.