Kamloops Fire and Rescue Engine 2 (Photo via Kamloops Fire and Rescue)
Kamloops Mounties are looking for any details after responding to a series of suspicious fires Wednesday night on the North Shore.
The reports started around 10:25 p.m. after Kamloops Fire and Rescue contacted police for assistance with a suspicious grass fire at the north end of the Overlander’s Bridge near Fortune Drive.
KFR called for assistance from police as fire crews were already on scene at another grass fire on the other side of the Fortune Drive overpass.
A short time later, at 10:55 p.m., Mounties say another fire was located in a fenced compound on the 500-block of Tranquille Road.
“Luckily, no one was injured and no property was damaged, but the fires could be related due to the timing, proximity, and a person of interest observed in the area,” said Corporal Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP spokesperson.
During the fire Overlander’s fire, police say witnesses saw a man in black clothing with a white cap near a church and Leigh Road.
They say a similar description was received of a person near the Tranquille Road fire.
In both cases, RCMP and the Police Dog Services Unit attended, but were unable to locate a suspect.
“We are reaching out to the public to help us identify the man in the white hat and dark clothing, and to request that they contact police with any information, photos, or videos that may help further the investigation,” said Cpl. Evelyn.
Evelyn says over the past week, authorities have received several other reports of fires including on April 6 at roughly 11:30 p.m. in the bushes near Battle Street and 2nd Avenue.
Additionally, another fire a day later, on rear deck of a business on the 400-block of Victoria Street between 1 and 2 a.m.
Among others, police point to a pair of fires that were spotted on April 10. The first on the 1300-block of Columbia Street West for a shopping cart fire around 11:10 p.m.; with the second being a vehicle fire McGill Road around 4 a.m.
“Police are encouraging anyone who witnesses someone attempting to illegally start fires, or who comes across a fire, no matter how small, to please call 911,” added Cpl. Evelyn.
Those with information related to these investigations are asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000.
