Arson attempt on empty North Shore house

KAMLOOPS — A house neighbours have called a 'nuisance' and an 'eyesore' was the scene of what appears to be an attempted arson this weekend.

Cpl. Cheryl Bush says there is evidence someone tried to start a fire outside of 356 McGowan Ave. and notes investigators are still looking into it.

“They saw what looked like someone had tried to start a fire,” she says. “There's no significant damage.”

The house at McGowan Avenue is currently a closed off worksite as crews hired by the city clean out the house, which has been left unoccupied since a 2008 fire. This past November council, staff and neighbours had enough of the vacant house and the owner was given 45 days to clean up before the city would step in and do it for her.

Owner Linda Watt admits to dealing with hoarding and has gone through many physical, mental and financial struggles over the five year period since the fire. Unable to meet the 45 day deadline the city stepped in mid-January and early last week crews moved in to contain the house and start getting rid of all the damaged materials.

It is estimated the clean up will take until the end of this week and once air quality tests show the air inside the home is a safe level the windows Watt previously ordered will be put in and she can finish repairing the home.

Watt has said she has every intention of moving back into the home once it has been fixed up.

Bush says she is not aware of any other arson attempts or fires over the weekend.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca, call (250)819-3723 or tweet @JennStahn.