Kamloops RCMP are searching for two suspects after a suspicious weekend fire at a house on Tranquille Road that was the subject of a recent police search.
Mounties say an officer on patrol spotted smoke coming from the house at 1315 Tranquille Road around 3 a.m. Saturday, April 20.
“When the officer initially observed the smoke, he quickly called for KFR and backup members, then banged on the residence’s doors and windows, announcing that there was a fire, while feeling its heat through a closed door,” Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said, in a statement.
“KFR arrived on scene shortly after, extinguished the blaze, and confirmed the house had been unoccupied.”
Evelyn says neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution in case the fire spread. She also says police remained outside the house until it was safe for fire investigators to enter.
“Security footage collected as part of the ongoing investigation shows two people on bikes in the area at the time the fire started, who appeared to have left in the direction of McArthur Island,” Evelyn added.
Evelyn also says the motive behind the suspected arson, and if it is related to any of the other suspicious fires, is part of the ongoing police investigation.
It is not clear if the weekend fire was connected to a recent five-day police presence at the property at the corner of Tranquille Road and Barrie Drive. Mounties first got to the scene on Friday, April 12, and cleared it as of Tuesday, April 16.
The reason for that initial police presence is not known at this time, though Radio NL can confirm there was a police presence at the house this afternoon, April 23.
People with information about this fire are being told to contact the Kamloops RCMP Detachment at 250-828-3000 and reference file 2024-11489.