Arson cited in death of family dog
The house fire that gutted part of a North Kamloops duplex last week and left a family dog dead was set on purpose — and police have made an arrest of a teenage boy.
Kamloops RCMP Const. Bernie Ward said Mounties are recommending charges of break and enter, arson and breach of conditions against the teen, whose age Ward refused to disclose.
Ward would not offer any further details about the suspect. However, the fact investigators are recommending a breach charge indicates the teen has been involved with police in the past.
Ward also refused to comment on whether investigators believe the arson could be linked to dozens of suspicious fires in Kamloops in the last 12 months, other than to say police “feel he [the suspect] is a risk to the public.”
“The Kamloops RCMP have been very concerned about arson problems,” Ward said.
“At this point, we’re going to look at this individual.”
Ward refused to say if the alleged arson was a random act or if the suspect had any links to the home.
He also would not elaborate on the circumstances of the incident or how the suspect is believed to have gained entry to the home.
Kamloops Fire Rescue crews were called to the duplex, in the 600-block of Clearwater Avenue, at about 2:30 p.m. on April 12.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, which was confined to a room in the home’s basement.
The suite was occupied by a single father and his two children.
No people were home at the time, but the family’s dog, Buddy, died as a result of the fire.
According to Ward, the incident should serve as a reminder to homeowners to take steps to prevent arson attacks.
“We’ve actually implored people to take a look around the residence, take a look around the yard,” he said, noting combustible materials should be removed.
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