Image Credit: Contributed / Kamloops RCMP

By James Peters

Suspicious Fires

Surveillance images show suspects in pair of Kamloops suspicious fires

Apr 2, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops RCMP investigators say they don’t know if five suspicious fires over the weekend are connected, but they’re hoping some surveillance images will help generate some more tips.

The first of the five fires was set at about 1:00 a.m. Saturday (March 30) on a home in the 800-block of Valhalla Drive on the North Shore.

A suspect and vehicle associated to a suspicious fire on Valhalla Drive. (Image Credit: Contributed / Kamloops RCMP)

Detachment spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn says witnesses reported an explosion from a Molotov cocktail being thrown at the building. They also reported a man connected to a pickup truck in the neighbourhood.

Later that morning, crews were called to separate fires at the Tournament Inn in the 1800-block of the East Trans Canada Highway in Valleyview, some cedar hedges about two blocks away, and the rear of a building in the 400-block of Chilcotin Road on the Tk’emlups Reserve.

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Are the B.C. Conservatives digging their own graves?

19h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

Dec 14, 2024

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Finally, another fire was set in the wee hours of Monday morning at a residential complex in the 400-block of St. Paul Street downtown.

“While there are some similarities in a couple of the reports, there are also a lot of differences,” said Evelyn. “At this time, the motives and any connection between the fires is still under investigation.”

RCMP are releasing crude images of suspects in two of the incidents, hoping someone will be able to aid their investigation.

A suspect in the fire on St. Paul Street. (Image Credit: Contributed / Kamloops RCMP)

In the St. Paul fire, the suspect is described as wearing a blue hooded zip jacket with a reflective strip on the right sleeve near the wrist, a large reflective patch on the right chest side and a wide reflective strip across the upper back. He was also wearing a backpack, dark pants, gloves, a toque and black shoes with white soles.

Anyone with further information on the incident or the suspects is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000.