Arson has not been ruled out in a fire that destroyed a Beaver Creek home early last Wednesday.
An investigation into the fire by Port Alberni RCMP has revealed that it was started outside of the building while the resident was asleep inside. A news release from the RCMP Monday afternoon says arson has not been ruled out, although it could potentially be an electrical fire.
Gordon Jones, assistant chief with the Beaver Creek Fire Department, said the first call came in at 3:17 a.m. on March 21 regarding a house fire on the corner of Beaver Creek Road and Wadena Road. Upon arrival, the residence was fully engulfed in flames.
Crews from Beaver Creek, the City of Port Alberni, Cherry Creek and Sproat Lake fire departments were on scene until about 7 a.m.
“It was knocked down fairly quick but a lot of mop up took place,” Jones said.
He added that pretty well everything in the house is ruined.
The investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information regarding the fire is asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424 or Alberni Valley Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
— With files from Elena Rardon