Police probing BX fires

Photo: Contributed

An RCMP investigative team and a dog team were called out following another suspicious fire in the BX neighbourhood.

BX/Swan Lake Fire Chief Bill Wacey said the call came around 3 p.m. on Tuesday for a fire off Spanky's Trail, just off Wallace Road.

The bush fire got to about 20 by 30 metres before being put out by firefighters, said Wacey.

"It's suspicious, the same as all the others," said Wacey.

The BX neighbourhood has seen a rash of suspicious fires over the summer prompting some concerns that an arsonist is working in the area, although that has not been confirmed by the RCMP.

Meanwhile, police confirmed they are ramping up investigative efforts in order to discover why up to at least 15 suspicious fires have broken out in the BX.

“A number of plain clothes and uniform resources have been assigned to these investigations,” said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk, RCMP spokesperson. “The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are working with local fire officials. The investigative efforts are focused on determining the cause of each fire. Should they be deemed as human caused and intentionally set, investigators will then look at efforts to identify the person(s) responsible for setting them.”

RCMP are asking the public to remain alert and report suspicious activity that may be associated with these incidents, and to report any information that may help with these investigations.

Anyone wishing to provide information can do so by contacting the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-260-5833 or for those wishing to provide information anonymously to do so via Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

A spokesperson for the BX-Swan Lake Community Association said there are plans to put together a citizens group to patrol the area.