Police are investigating a suspicious fire near downtown Nanaimo.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue responded to reports of the fire, in a lot near a grocery store in the 600 block of Albert Street, at about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 29.
Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, said police were called to the scene after it was determined a motorhome was on fire and someone was seen running from the scene.
“Officers responded and spoke to witnesses, stating that they saw an individual going out of the motorhome,” O’Brien said. “He was last seen running down the railroad tracks.”
Firefighters knocked the fire down quickly. O’Brien said the fire is believed to be suspicious.
The suspect is described as male, about 5-foot-6, wearing an overcoat.
The motorhome was completely destroyed, but no one else was found inside and no injuries were reported. There was no damage to the other property.
O’Brien said several witnesses police spoke with all provided the similar descriptions of the suspect.
“The fire is believed to be suspicious,” O”Brien said. “We are certainly looking at other suspicious fires in Nanaimo to see if this person may be related, but there is nothing to connect him at this point.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP detachment non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2023-10432.
chris.bush@nanaimobulletin.com
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