BC

Photo: Trevor Rockliffe

Allan Piche talks to one of his 'bears' beside his house at Christina Lake in 2010

Mounties are investigating a suspicious fire at a Christina Lake property where the owner once pleaded guilty to feeding bears. The bruins were found near a marijuana plantation.

Photo: Trevor Rockliffe

Hand feeding the bears at Allan Piche's property in 2010

RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison of the Grand Forks detachment in southeastern BC says a water bomber and a helicopter were used to contain the blaze that spread to the surrounding forest and outbuildings on Tuesday night.

Property owner Allan Piche was fined $6,000 in May on two charges of feeding bears.

He was arrested in 2010 when police investigating a grow-op discovered tame black bears that watched passively as 1,100 marijuana plants were removed from the property.

Piche pleaded guilty to feeding the animals dog food but was charged a second time with the same offence.

His fine included restrictions barring him from feeding dangerous wildlife in BC.