Burnaby firefighters called to multiple suspicious fires

Burnaby firefighters were called multiple times after someone lit fires and left a burning Molotov cocktail on the street.

A Molotov cocktail was found burning, but unbroken, before multiple fires were reported

Rafferty Baker CBC News Posted: Dec 05, 2015 10:07 AM EST | Last Updated: December 5, 2015

Burnaby firefighters battle a backyard garbage bin blaze, one of several early Dec. 5. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

Burnaby firefighters were called multiple times after someone lit fires and left a burning Molotov cocktail on the street.

The molotov cocktail, an improvised firebomb using abottle, was found ignited but not yet broken by the heat,next to the curb on Tenth Ave., near Langley St. at about 3:30 a.m. PT Saturday.

Firefighters say they were able to quickly extinguish the flame.

A Molotov cocktail was found ignited, but unbroken next to a curb on Tenth Avenue in Burnaby, early Saturday morning. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

BurnabyFire CaptainMichael Hurley said his crew didn't think much of the first incident, as the flame was so small.

"Initially, we were looking at it like, 'this is kind of a waste of time,' but we were able to pour the gasoline out and take care of that," he said.

...and firefighters have this one under control. #Molotovcocktail pic.twitter.com/uhyZSJ5m53
—@raffertybaker

But as Hurley and his crew were leaving, they noticeda plume of smoke around the corner.

"There was real flame and it looked very impressive from the front, but it was actually a garbage can behind the garage," said Hurley."It smelled like some kindof accelerant was used there, too, so obviously it was probably related to the first incident."

A firefighter puts out a suspicious garbage can fire, early Saturday morning in Burnaby. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

Then, as that fire was put out, the fire department got calls about more flamesblocks away.

"Obviously somebody was moving throughthe area, you know, probably thinking they were having some fun, but it's not really that fun," said Hurley.

Neighbours who declinedto give their names said they were awoken at 4 a.m. PT by a loud explosion. They initially thought their garage was on fire, but it turned out to be another garbage can, pulled into the middle of the alley and ignited.

Fire crews arrive to find a third fire within an hour near Langley Street and Tenth Avenue, early Saturday morning. The fire began with loud explosion that woke up neighbours. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

Finally, as the tireless crew was packing up from that fire, smoke was noticed coming from the other side of the fence. The Burnabyfirefighters forced a gate open and found a fourth fire burning in a backyard storage area. That was quickly put out before it could spread.

Hurleysays ashfrom the third fire likely sparked the fourth fire.

Firefighters put out a fourth suspicious fire, Saturday morning, which ignited in a storage area. Officials believe it may have been started by ashes from another fire in the alley. (Rafferty Baker/CBC)

The captain said that, while it was quite frightening for residents, the fires were relatively minor. It appearedthe garbage cans were pulled away from garages and fences before they were lit.

"It's probably some kids having some fun on a night out.I'm hoping that's what it is, anyway," said Hurley

Burnaby RCMPwill investigate the incidents along with a fire investigator.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at604-294-7922.