Summerland Motel fire reveals stolen goods

SUMMERLAND – A fire at a Summerland motel room proved fortuitous for the Summerland RCMP last night.

Police spokesperson Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said in a press release issued today, Jan. 25, Summerland RCMP uncovered stolen property following response to a fire at the Pleasant View Motel in the 1300 block of Highway 97.

Police and Summerland firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after midnight, Jan. 24, to find a single unit in a four suite complex fully engulfed in flames.

The four occupants managed to flee the suite by the time emergency personnel arrived.

Three attached units were also evacuated during the blaze prior to the fire department dousing the flames.

Firefighters then began moving the suite’s contents out of the building, when RCMP officers recognized some items reported missing in recent thefts in the Summerland area.

A search warrant executed yesterday morning found several bicycles, golf clubs, power tools, a computer and hockey equipment were found, suspected to be stolen.

One item has since been confirmed as stolen and is being returned to its owner. The suspected thefts remain under investigation.

The fire is deemed to have started after food was left unattended on a stove top. No injuries were reported in the incident.

Police remind residents to record and list valuable items, including any serial numbers or other identifiers that could be used to identify lost or stolen property.

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