Suspicious fire destroys house on the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River

A house on the Wei Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River has been destroyed in a fire that authorities are calling suspicious.

Campbell River Fire Chief Thomas Doherty said fire crews were called to a structure fire in the 2300-block of Henderson Avenue at around 9:20 a.m.

When crews arrived, the single-family home was engulfed in flames. Doherty said the fire grew quite rapidly.

“When the first trucks arrived on scene, we focused on protecting the exposures. We had some homes really close by on all three sides,” Doherty said.

One of the neighbouring homes suffered some damage on its vinyl siding. The single-family home where the fire started was destroyed.

Doherty said there were a number of propane cylinders at the house that led to venting and a few explosions.

Nobody was at home at the time of the fire. Doherty said the fire does appear to be suspicious and an RCMP investigation is underway.

Another suspicious house fire that occurred on Monday on 8th Avenue in Campbell River is also being investigated by police.

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