Pot shop on Osoyoos Indian Band lands damaged in arson fire
A cannabis store on Osoyoos Indian Band lands has been a victim of an arson attack.
The fire broke out at the Pot Doctor cannabis store at around 4:30 a.m. Feb. 22, on Highway 97 North in the 8100 block outside Oliver.
Oliver RCMP Sgt. Don Wrigglesworth said police are treating the fire as suspicious.
The Oliver Fire Department was at the scene for about two hours.
"First arriving units knocked down exterior fire and proceeded to attack (the) fire at the interior of the two structures. Quick action stopped the fire from spreading in the business while work was made to extinguish the trailer," Oliver Fire Department posted on Facebook.
Sgt. Wrigglesworth confirmed that no one was hurt in the blaze.
"The investigation is in its infancy, there is an extensive video to review... and there's a number of people to talk to," Sgt. Wrigglesworth said. "There are a number of suspects that will need to be spoken to (and) potentially witnesses that we will need to eliminate as suspects."
The RCMP sergeant said police will also be reviewing "online communication" that had taken place recently.
Sgt. Wrigglesworth said he'd been in contact with the chief and council about the fire.
The band has seen a recent uptick in the number of cannabis stores operating on the reserve.
Sgt. Wrigglesworth said the landowner that rents the land to the cannabis store also rents land to another cannabis located next door.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
