Police say a problem home in the Shuswap was purposely set on fire last night.

Chase RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Scott Linklater says police were called to a home on Hilliam Road in Scotch Creek at 8:30 p.m. last night, and upon arrival no one was there but a fire was starting on the wall of the home.

Linklater says volunteer fire crews from Scotch Creek and Celista were able to respond quickly and stop the fire before any significant damage happened.

The property where the fire happened is the same home where a major police scene took place for hours on Saturday afternoon after reports of shots fired, and Linklater says last night’s fire was set on purpose, adding they are trying to find out who may have started the blaze.

“The Chase RCMP Detachment is concerned the attempted burning of the building is an escalation of the conflict between a group of local residents and the previous occupants of the house.   The RCMP does not condone vigilantism and would recommend the public to leave investigations to the police,” Linklater says.

Residents in the area have recently told NL News the home on Hilliam Road is a common space for squatters, and say it has been linked to stolen property and the subject of repeated calls to police, which have escalated in the last month.

Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP.

(Photo: Facebook: The North Shuswap Kicker)