5 suspicious fires reported in Kamloops, B.C., in just over 48 hours - Action News
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British Columbia

5 suspicious fires reported in Kamloops, B.C., in just over 48 hours

RCMP say they're investigating five suspicious fires that were set across Kamloops, B.C.,over a span of just over 48 hours.

Police say they're still working to determine if the fires are connected, no injuries reported

A shoulder patch with the RCMP logo.
Kamloops RCMP are investigating 5 separate fires set in the city over a span of just over 48 hours. (Stuart Forster/Shutterstock)

RCMP say they're investigating five suspicious fires that were set across Kamloops, B.C.,over a span of just over 48 hours.

Police say the series of fires began on Saturday morning ataround 1 a.m. PT, and the latest blaze was set around 1:20 a.m. PT Monday.

The fires did not result in any injuries.

Police say a jerrycan was found near one fireand another appeared to involve a Molotov cocktail.

"While there are some similarities in a couple of the reports, there are also a lot of differences," Cpl. Crystal Evelynsaid in the statement. "At this time, the motives and any connection between the fires is still under investigation."


The first fire was reported around 1 a.m. PT on Saturday near the 800-block of Valhalla Drive, according to RCMP.

They say police received reports of an explosion caused by a Molotov cocktail, and a man driving a pickup truck is considered a suspect in that case.

Shortly after, two fires were recorded near the Trans Canada Highway. The first was reported outside an electrical room at a motel inthe 1800-block of the highway. Kamloops Fire Rescue says the small fire was intentionally lit around 2 a.m. PT on Saturday.

A grainy black-and-white picture of a man carrying an object.
Kamloops RCMP have released this picture of a suspect in the Valhalla Drive fire, and say that others in the area may have recorded a clearer image. (Kamloops RCMP)

Just over an hour later, police say, five cedar hedges were reportedlylit on fire in the 2000-block of the highway. Anearby building was not damaged.

Just before 7 a.m. PT on Saturday police responded to a fire at a rural property at the 400-block of Chilcotin Roadwhere three vehicles were also vandalized, RCMPsay.

A black pickup truck is captured on CCTV footage.
Kamloops RCMP say the suspect in the Valhalla Drive fire was driving a pickup truck. (Kamloops RCMP)

The fifth fire was set around 1:20 a.m. PT on Monday. Police were called to an apartment building on the 400-block of St. Paul Street.

"According to the report, a loud boom was heard, followed by flames on the east side of the building," the police statement reads. "A jerry can was located nearby as part of the ongoing investigation."

Police have released photos from the Valhalla Drive and St. Paul Street fires.

A composite of two grainy CCTV images of a man carrying a jerry can and wearing a jacket with reflective strips on it.
Kamloops RCMP are looking for a person suspected to have started a fire at an apartment building at the 400-block of St. Paul Street on Monday morning. It's the latest of 5 suspicious fires in the B.C. Interior city. (Kamloops RCMP)

The suspect in the St. Paul Street fire is described as wearing ablue hooded jacket with a reflective stripand patches, and having a black backpack. They were wearing dark pants, gloves and a toque under their jacket hood, and black shoes with white soles, according to police.

Anyone with more information about the fires is asked to contact KamloopsRCMP.