Authorities investigate fire at Vernon bank

VERNON – Police and the fire department are investigating a suspicious blaze that scorched the outside of a downtown Vernon bank Monday night.

Deputy Fire Chief Jack Blair says the fire started in a garbage container at the rear of CIBC on 30 Avenue around 9:30 p.m., May 4.

“The fire caused extensive fire damage to the paint and exterior door of the building,” Blair says.

When firefighters gained entry to the inside of the building, they discovered a considerable amount of smoke and acted quickly to vent it out.

Firefighters were on scene about two hours, along with members of the Vernon police detachment.

RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says early indications are some pallets and other items in the dumpster were set on fire. 

"Our officers are checking today to determine if there is any video surveillance in the area that might be able to assist in this investigation," Molendyk says.

CIBC is expected to open today for its regular business hours.

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

—This story was updated at 9:53 a.m., May 5, to include new information from Vernon RCMP.