Vernon Fire Department
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
September 12, 2014 - 9:34 AM
VERNON - An investigation is underway following an overnight fire in Vernon.
Fire officials and police are looking into a small fire at an abandoned house in the 2800 block of 30 Avenue. The fire broke out around 12:30 a.m. Friday and while considered minor, has the attention of investigators. Over the summer, Vernon saw a series of over 20 suspected arsons unfold.
“We don’t have anything at this time saying it’s related to any of the other fires,” deputy fire chief Jack Blair says. “Right now, we’re leaning towards transients.”
He says this fire isn’t similar in nature to the rash of fires, though the possibility it’s connected will be considered in the ensuing investigation.
The old house has been boarded up for some time and was the scene of a previous fire in June. Blair says the area is frequented by transients who could be responsible for the fire.
The fire appears to have started outside at the rear of the house. Blair says no power was on in the vacant building.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
—This story was edited at 10 a.m. Sept. 12 to include an update from deputy fire chief Jack Blair.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014