Arson and gangs are believed to be behind one of two fires that Prince George firefighters had to hose down. Both were Saturday morning.
The one attracting police attention happened at 2637 Quince Street. Authorities are saying little about the circumstances so far, but did disclose that they suspect the blaze was deliberately set.
"Police were called to the scene at about 9:30 a.m. in response to a call and and confirmed that a window was smashed and an attempt was made to start a fire," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Members of the Prince George RCMP are continuing to investigate this serious criminal act, including the possibility that this is linked to organized street gang activity."
There was no evidence that anyone was hurt in this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Prince George RCMP at 561-3300 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca.
The other fire raised alarm bells but no suspicions.
A significant amount of damage was done to a mobile home, but no other structures became involved as a result.
The fire was located in the 3700 block of Lansdowne Road, part of a row of mobile homes facing the Fraser River in the Sunrise Valley Mobile Home Park.
"There was one person home at the time however they were outside on our arrival," said Assistant Chief Drew Larsen of the Prince George Fire Rescue Service. "The resident was checked by fire crews and was taken to hospital by B.C. Ambulance Service with undetermined injuries."
The alarm came in to firefighters at about 6:25 a.m. Three fire halls dispatched 17 members to assist.
Larsen said arriving crews "found smoke and fire coming from one corner of a mobile home" and took quick action to keep the fire contained inside the one small building. As it was, he estimated $50,000 damage was inflicted to the residence.
"This incident is not considered to be suspicious," Larsen added. "The cause of the fire is currently undetermined and an investigator has been called in to determine cause."
