Image Credit: CFJC Today / Aaron Schulze

By James Peters

Red Bridge Fire

Arson suspected in Red Bridge blaze: Kamloops RCMP

Sep 20, 2024 | 12:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — After initially saying it was suspicious, Kamloops RCMP are now saying they suspect arson in the fire that destroyed the historic Red Bridge early Thursday morning (Sept. 19).

The fire was discovered in the 3:00 a.m. hour Thursday and, despite the best efforts of Kamloops Fire Rescue responders, the bridge was quickly engulfed.

“The investigation is still in its very early stages, but we do believe the Red Bridge was intentionally set on fire and we are treating it as arson, based on the information and evidence reviewed so far,” said Supt. Jeff Pelley in a news release issued Friday. “The Red Bridge was an important and historic part of our community’s infrastructure; it is extremely disheartening to think that it was purposely destroyed. As our police officers work in partnership with KFR in advancing this investigation, we ask the public to please reach out with any information that may be related.”

Pelley adds the detachment is still determining whether Thursday’s fire was related to a much smaller fire on the north side of the bridge on Tuesday morning.

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Investigators are asking the public to report anything suspicious on dashcam or surveillance camera footage that may be related, or any suspicious activity they may have noticed around the waterways or the shoreline this week.

“You may have observed something that seemed out of place or stood out, which could now be relevant to advancing our investigation into what is believed to have been a criminal act,” said Pelley. “It’s very important that anyone in the community who has any information which could be related to the Red Bridge fire, please share it with police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information on the fire is asked to contact either Kamloops RCMP or Tk’emlups Rural RCMP, referring to file number 2024-31206.