Gas can found inside burning vehicle on Kamloops residential street

Photo: Kristen Holliday

Kamloops fire department and RCMP responded to reports of a suspicious car fire Tuesday evening.

Police are looking into a suspicious car fire Tuesday after a gas can was found in a burning vehicle on a residential street near Thompson Rivers University.

Troy Grant, platoon captain for Kamloops Fire Rescue, said emergency crews responded to a call just before 5 p.m. reporting a grey Hyundai on fire on McBeth Place, off Dalgleish Drive.

“A gentleman was driving by, when he drove by, the interior of the car was fully engulfed with fire, which means he had just driven by shortly after it had been set,” Grant said.

Grant said once firefighters arrived on scene, the fire had snuffed itself out.

Firefighters found a small rear window had been broken, and were able to reach in and undo the locks, according to Grant. The licence plates and insurance papers were missing from the vehicle.

“Inside the car was found a five gallon jerry can that had been filled with gasoline and was spilt all over the front seat,” Grant said.

“In the rear, appeared to be lighter fluid, and some material soaked in lighter fluid that had been lit in the back seat. But again, the fire ran out of oxygen and was out upon KFR’s arrival.”

Grant said the fire department ensured the fire was fully extinguished, and passed the investigation on to the RCMP, as the vehicle was of interest to them.

Kamloops RCMP Const. Crystal Evelyn said the vehicle is currently being held for investigation with police.

Anyone with information, or who may have witnessed anything suspicious in connection with the vehicle fire, is asked to contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.