A massive fire that left more than 100 White Rock residents homeless has been deemed suspicious.
According to a news release issued by White Rock RCMP Wednesday afternoon, investigation of the May 15 blaze – in the city's Five Corners district – has "determined that the fire was deliberately set."
"This fire and the resulting displacement of the building's residents has understandably shaken our community," Const. Chantal Sears said in the release. "The fact that it is now believed this fire was intentionally set will likely cause further distress to those residents."
Residents of the Ocean Ridge condominium complex were evacuated just after 5 a.m., after fire broke out at the Allure, a condominium complex under construction immediately south of the building.
That structure was destroyed; the four-storey Ocean Ridge suffered significant fire, smoke and water damage. A dozen ground-level businesses were also impacted.
The incident also resulted in a three-day boil-water advisory for the city.
Sears said police are now appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious that morning, or with other information that could help investigators, to call the White Rock detachment at 778-593-3600 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
