UPDATE –
Kamloops RCMP are treating two of the three fires from yesterday as suspicious in nature.
Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says it’s the two early morning fires that were called in about 10 minutes apart.
The fire at the house on Evergreen Place started outside of the house, spread to some cedar trees and then damaged the side of the home.
The fire on York Street also started outside of a house and damaged the side of the home.
“And only minor damage at both locations,” Shelkie said. “We’re investigating both of these fires as suspicious simply because of the similar nature of where the fires were started, ie, outside of the house and the timeline of when they started.”
There was a third fire on Strauss Street later in the afternoon, police say at this time it was not suspicious in nature.
One man was treated for an injured leg and smoke inhalation at the Strauss Street fire.
Shelkie says if people have any information about either of these fires, to contact police at 250-828-3000.
ORIGINAL –
Kamloops fire crews and the RCMP are investigating three fires from yesterday, March 24, in the span of under twelve hours.
All three fires were in single family homes – one on York Avenue, one on Evergreen Place, and the other on Strauss Street.
Crews were called out around 1:50 AM to York Avenue, and 2:01 AM to Evergreen Place, while the call to Strauss Street was around 11:30 AM.
Fire Inspector Kevin Cassidy says all these fires are suspicious in nature, but he couldn’t say for sure if they are linked.
“So there was damage to to the exterior of the homes in the early morning one on York Ave and the one on Evergreen Place, and then there was significant damage to the home on Strauss Street, yesterday afternoon.”
Cassidy says a man was treated for an injured leg and smoke inhalation in the Strauss Street fire.
In all cases, the homeowners and tenants were able to evacuate, but Cassidy adds it’s concerning to see three fires in a short span of time.
“We’re just assisting the RCMP with their investigation and hopefully we can determine the cause and origin of these fires,” Cassidy said.
Cpl. Jodi Shelkie expects to release more information about the RCMP investigation will be released later today.
Meanwhile, Cassidy is urging people to make sure they have proper working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in their houses.
#Kamloops crews responding to 741 strauss st for smoke billowing out a bedroom report of an injury and people in the basement heavy smoke showing upon arrival of fire dept need a few ambulances responding too
— Kamscan (@Kamscan) March 24, 2019
picture facebook pic.twitter.com/50e60IzJ7R
— Kamscan (@Kamscan) March 24, 2019
from facebook pic.twitter.com/f5QFbxYjz4
— Kamscan (@Kamscan) March 24, 2019
