White Rock Mounties say arson is the cause of a fire that destroyed a vacant house early Saturday morning.
At approximately 12:30 a.m. March 11, police were called to assist the White Rock Fire Department with a residential structure fire in the 1000-block of Stevens Street.
White Rock fire Chief Phil Lemire said the house was “fully involved” when firefighters arrived.
“We did our initial investigation later that morning and basically determined at that point of time that the fire was intentionally set by a person, or persons unknown – so arson. At that point in time, it basically becomes an RCMP investigation,” Lemire told Peace Arch News Monday.
Const. Chantal Sears said in a press release that police have received information about a vehicle of interest, and the investigation is ongoing.
Lemire said a total of 17 firefighters tackled the blaze, and finished the job at approximately 4:30 a.m.
“The crews did some good work to get it knocked down,” Lemire noted.
Lemire said it’s his understanding that the house was occupied until the start of the month. The severity of the damage, he said, would likely mean that the building would have to be demolished.
“Most likely, because of the age, size of the home.”
He said there was no evidence of squatters using the building.