Tofino RCMP is investigating an early morning fire that sparked at a local church and officers are calling it “suspicious.”
According to police, officers received a report about the structure fire just after 4 a.m. on Friday morning.
The fire sparked at the St. Columba Anglican Church in Tofino, located on Second Street.
The Tofino Fire Department was first to the scene and had the fire under control by the time RCMP arrived.
Firefighters were able to contain the blaze, successfully minimizing the damage to a small portion of the church prior to any major structural damage.
Police note in a release on Friday that the church is situated in a location that is not in the immediate vicinity of residential properties and investigators believe that no other structures were damaged in the fire.
This church has been in Tofino for over 100 years and is of significant historical importance to the community
says BC RCMP spokesperson Sergeant Chris Manseau Investigators are aware of the recent church fires occurring around the province and will share information with them to determine if there is a link, however at this time there is nothing indicating so
.
Tofino RCMP say that officers have been in contact with the local municipality for their awareness.
The church has also been boarded up following the fire.
Police say they intend on working with trained fire investigators for assistance on the incident.
Anyone with information on the incident is being asked to call Tofino RCMP at 250-725-3242.
Graham Cox
