Castlegar RCMP begin investigation into two suspicious fires
By Kyra Hoggan
Castlegar RCMP and Fire Dept have commenced investigation into two suspicious fires which occurred Monday night in the Sunflower City.
The fires were called in at 2230 and 2255 hours to Castlegar RCMP and Castlegar Fire Dept.
The first fire reported involved a parked vehicle found engulfed in flames in the parking lot of the Kinnaird Community Church in the 1200 block of 26th Street.
The van belonged to the Red Cross.
The second fire which was reported at 23:55, involved the main building of the St Ritas Catholic church located on 7th Avenue in Castlegar.
As a result of the fire the main church structure was lost however the rectory and church hall were undamaged in the incident.
No one was injured as a result of either of the fires.
The causes of these fires are currently under investigation, with both incidents being treated as suspicious.
The Castlegar RCMP along with resources from the Kootenay Boundary Regional General Investigation Section, Castlegar Fire Dept have started the scene examinations in order to assist in determining the cause.
RCMP investigators are asking that anyone that may have taken video or photographs of the Catholic Church fire to please attend the Castlegar Detachment and pass along the footage or photos of the fire.
Also, RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance, if any person saw something suspicious in either area last night or who may have any information with respect to these fires, they’re asked to call the Castlegar RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Fires being treated as suspicious
Police received a phone call last night at 10:33 p.m. regarding a vehicle fire, according to RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew.
Upon their arrival at the Kinnaird Park Community Church on 14 Avenue, they found a Red Cross van fully engulfed in flames. The vehicle was destroyed.
At 10:55 p.m., they received a call that St. Rita’s church was on fire.
While the bulk of the church was destroyed, fire crews managed to save the main hall and rectory, and no other buildings were impacted. Robson Fire Department assisted through their mutual aid agreement.
No one was injured in either blaze.
As of now (10:10 a.m.) the church fire has been extinguished, but officials (among them, Mayor Lawrence Chernoff and Fire Chief Gerry Rempel) remain on scene, investigating causative factors.
Despite previous media reports, neither the police nor the fire department can confirm arson, but the fires are being treated as “suspicious”.
Mathew said police are already receiving tips regarding the fire’s origin, but anyone with information is urged to contact local RCMP at 250-365-7721.
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