Snake shed fire was arson

Kelowna RCMP have determined that a shed fire in which several exotic snakes died on Saturday afternoon was deliberately set.

The Kelowna Fire department and RCMP responded to the fire on Rhondda Crt. about 4 p.m. and found the shed and a nearby hedge ablaze.

The fire was extiguished by the fire department and neighbours with garden hoses. The fire was at 2995 Rhondda Court.

Following an investigation of the scene Sunday morning, RCMP Const. Kevin Hamilton told a news briefing that authorities are now convinced someone set the fire.

He said fire investigators became suspicious of the burn pattern and performed a "forensic dig-out" of the scene. "We confirmed that it was an arson fire," Hamilton said.

The investigation will now focus on finding who set it, he said.

After the fire was extinguished, firefighters found several dead pythons in the shed.

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Photo: Contributed

Flames reach out towards a home in Kelowna on Saturday.