The Port Alberni RCMP is investigating the cause of a residential fire that gutted part of a house on Melrose Street, Sunday afternoon.
The call came in around 5:45 p.m. and Port Alberni Fire Department responded with an engine, a ladder truck and two smaller vehicles.
“Firefighters were told there was no one inside the home,” deputy chief Chris Jancowski said.
The sole resident in the home at the time of the fire was able to escape uninjured, according to RCMP
“Fire crews made an aggressive attack from the front to the back of the house (where the fire was located). The majority of the fire was put out within 10–15 minutes,” Jancowski said.
RCMP investigators “have determined the fire to be suspicious in nature and an investigation is underway,” RCMP Cpl. Jen Allan noted in a press release.
“An individual was detained at the scene for investigation purposes but was later released from custody. Investigators continue to comb through the scene in an effort to obtain evidence that will reveal the cause of the blaze.”