Two arrested after Kamloops arsons

Kamloops cops have two in custody after a pair of arsons this month.

The suspects were arrested Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 14, after fires at two businesses, one in Kamloops and the other in Tk’emlups.

Though they haven’t yet been charged, they will remain in custody at least until a court appearance this afternoon, Jan. 15, according to a Kamloops RCMP news release.

“These crimes were prioritized given the risk to the public,” Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff Pelly said in the news release. He described the arsons as “reckless.”

The first fire was at a Tk’emlups business in the 700 block of Athabasca Street early in the morning on Jan. 7, where around $4,000 worth of tools were stolen.

The perpetrators then poured gasoline onto wood and set it ablaze before leaving, police said.

The second arson fire was in the 600 block of Kingston Avenue. The suspects are believed to have climbed a fence then lit a pallet and some cardboard on fire. Police were called to assist firefighters at the scene around noon this past Sunday.

The same two suspects are believed to be responsible in both cases, RCMP said.

Also on Jan. 7, a pair of fires on Victoria Street West burned two vehicles at a downtown business. Although they are also believed to be arson, police have not linked them to this investigation.