The remnants of a shed in a Campbell Avenue backyard that was burned Oct. 7. (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SUSPICIOUS FIRES

Investigators looking into string of property fires throughout Kamloops

Oct 29, 2025 | 5:04 PM

KAMLOOPS — In October alone, there have been four separate property fires around the City of Kamloops, and so far only one has been ruled as not suspicious.

That fire was earlier this month at a home on Sitka Street (Oct. 18). The other incidents include Sunday’s fire at Westmount Elementary (Oct. 26), which is being investigated as an arson, and two fires that started in the backyards of two homes on the North Shore, just a block away from each other.

Fire investigators, and insurance appraisals are still going through the damage left behind by a fire Monday night (Oct. 27) at a home on Alexander Avenue. The four family members and their dog got out in time, though the homeowner was briefly hospitalized for smoke inhalation. She told CFJC on Wednesday (Oct. 29) she wonders if the fire was purposely set.

Kamloops Fire Rescue’s Chief Ken Uzeloc says an investigation is underway for all of the recent fire incidents, including one on Alexander Avenue.

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“RCMP and our investigators are still working to determine what a cause looks like. And then from that, whether that is deliberate or accidental, but there’s no other explanation other than human-caused for that one, as well,” he notes.

It’s the latest in a string of property fires in Kamloops. Sunday night (Oct. 26), the roof of Westmount Elementary was set on fire, and the damage has displaced hundreds of students.

“We do know that there is evidence to show that there was someone on the roof at the time the fire broke out,” said Cpl. Dana Napier with Kamloops RCMP. “We are currently investigating that fire as an arson.”

The week prior, a home on Sitka Avenue went up in smoke, hospitalizing an entire family and Uzeloc says that fire was determined to be not suspicious.

“Unfortunately, they had a number of devices that were being charged and it appears that that was the cause of the fire,” he explained. “Unfortunate and very lucky that they got out okay considering we’re not sure there were working smoke alarms in the home, either.”

Elsewhere on Campbell Avenue, a shed was set ablaze in the early morning hours of October 7 at Barb Robinson’s property. She says the series of fire starts is sad to see and also makes her wonder why their properties were picked for the damage.

“I love my home. I love my neighbours. I love my yard. I love this area of town. I don’t want to be scared and having to move. I just don’t have an answer,” says Robinson.

Investigators say its their job to figure out how and why these fires were started, and if any of them are connected.

“Keeping in mind we identify them individually, however part of the investigation is to determine whether or not one is related to another,” adds Napier.

Uzeloc says it’s important to avoid drawing conclusions without enough evidence.

“Don’t just automatically jump to the conclusion it’s an unhoused person,” cautions Uzeloc. “It appears we have a few fires that may have been deliberately set and that’s why we work closely with the RCMP and let them do the great work they do to gather evidence and hopefully catch the person whose responsible or persons.”

The public is being asked to call police with information or tips about the incidents and to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.

“Make those calls. That’s our job. We’ll come out. We take care of that, we’ll look into it and hopefully we’ll deter anyone who may be considering doing something,” reiterates Uzeloc, adding that if a fire is started, having working smoke alarms and security surveillance video can help.