Mounties keen to catch firebug
Kamloops Mounties are increasing their presence on the North Shore in the hopes of catching an apparent firebug who is believed to have sparked two fires this week — and who may be responsible for a pair of similar blazes earlier this year.
Fires were set on early Tuesday (July 5) morning outside the Kamloops Alliance Church on Fortune Drive and early Monday morning (July 4) behind Knowles Exhaust on Wilson Street.
Investigators are looking into whether the blazes might be related to a pair of apparent arson attacks in the same area in late April.
None of the blazes caused serious damage to permanent structures.
Tuesday morning’s fire scorched an outbuilding, while Monday’s blaze ignited a pair of sheds and a number of stored couches.
The fires in April were similar, targeting a carport and a shed.
Kamloops RCMP Const. Bernie Ward said police are still trying to gather more information, but said Mounties will be stepping up their presence in the area.
“Any time there’s occurrences, our presence always ramps up,” he said. “But, we’ve got to be mindful if it happens in one area, it can move to another area pretty easily.”
Ward urged residents in the area to be aware of what’s going on in their neighbourhood and to report any suspicious activity — especially late at night — to police.
He said residents are also being asked to remove debris from the areas surrounding their homes.
“Fires do not start themselves,” he said.
“When you get a number of fires, it leads to the question of why it’s going on and what’s happening.”
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