For the third time this fall, police are sifting through clues of a suspicious fire at a Prince George motel. No definitive connections can be made, said investigators, but arson - even serial arson - has not been ruled out.
Oct. 31 at approximately 4 a.m., firefighters and police both became involved at the scene of fire at the Camelot Motor Inn in the 1600 block of Central Street East. Investigators have determined that an unoccupied second floor room was the source of the fire. The door was forced open. Occupants of the motel were evacuated without incident and no one was injured. The cause of the fire has been deemed suspicious.
"We are looking into that possibility, definitely," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Police are aware of similarities in each investigation, but at this time are unable to conclusively say that the same person or persons are responsible for all three fires."
According to firefighters, this latest fire caused about $20,000 damage to the motel. No one was injured.
"RCMP are warning all motel personnel in Prince George to be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary and to take extra precautions," said Douglass.
Police also recommend hoteliers use video surveillance and other security features wherever possible.
For free help from trained personnel in the field of "crime prevention through environmental design," contact Prince George RCMP's Community Policing office at 250-561-3366 for an assessment for your business.
Anyone with information about these serious Criminal offences, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-TIPS (8477), online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca, or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES using keyword "pgtips".
FIRE LINE
- Aug. 28 at approximately 4:20 a.m., Prince George Fire / Rescue Service was called to the Connaught Motor Inn in the 1500 block of Victoria Street in Prince George. A single, unoccupied suite on the second floor was fully engulfed. All occupants of the motel were evacuated and no one was injured. Electrical wiring was ruled out and there was no sign of forced entry. The cause of the fire was ruled as undetermined.
- Oct. 2 at approximately 7:45 p.m., the Prince George RCMP were called to assist Prince George Fire / Rescue with a suspicious fire, again at the Connaught Motor Inn. A single, unoccupied suite on the third floor was fully engulfed. The door had been forced open. No one was injured. This fire was ruled suspicious.
