Suspicious Fire Burns Down Apt Building

Firefighters rushed to the scene on Tuesday March 21st 

Flames arched up into the sky as the air around the apt building heated up. Firefighters and members of the RCMP surrounded the building on Tuesday March 21^st, keeping back neighbours and other onlookers.  

The fire started at approximately 8:45 pm according to a RCMP news release. The building was scheduled to be torn down at the end of the month and was the scene of an assault earlier that day. Fire fighters at the scene were concerned with the possibility of the fire jumping houses. Fire Chief Ricky Nicholson was at the scene.   

“Upon arrival it was fully engulfed and our main concern upon arrival was to protect the exposures. The daycare behind us and the neighbours house.”

Since the flames reached their peak so quickly Nicholson believes the fire might not of been an accident, stating “It’s a very suspicious fire at this time”. 

During the morning hours of the 21^st one man was allegedly assaulted by two others. In response to that the assault victim is thought to have driven his truck through the outer walls causing structural damage to the building. Eleven hours later the apt was thought to be set on fire. 

 

Even with quick response times the building could not be saved

For neighbours the fire came as a surprise, most not realizing until it was well underway. For people like John Douglass the blaring sirens rolling down the street were the first thing heard. “I was just inside feeding my daughter, and my mom said, “go check that out.” So I stepped outside and there was a huge fire just a few houses down.”

One person has been arrested in connection with the assault charges. The RCMP along with the fire department and the fire Marshal are still investigating the fire and the morning’s events.