The last fire happened on September 2, 2018 at the 800 block of Snuqaax Mamnta Rd.

The last fire happened on September 2, 2018 at the 800 block of Snuqaax Mamnta Rd.

Series of suspicious fires prompt Bella Coola RCMP to bring in special investigator

Police investigate four fires set between June and Sept. in 4-Mile

Bella Coola RCMP are bringing in a specialist in fire investigations to examine a series of suspicious fires that occurred on the Four Mile subdivision this summer.

Between June 10, 2018 and Sept. 2, 2018, there have been four separate suspicious fires on Bella Coola Nuxalk Nation lands; a home in the 900 block of Four Mile, an abandoned trailer in the 800 Block of Four Mile, gas cans set on fire near an apartment in Four Mile as well as a home in the 800 Block of Snuqaax Mamnta have all been the scenes of fire.

The last fire was on September 2, 2018 at 855 Snuqaax Mamnta Rd; the home of Lorraine and Frank Tallio. The family was lucky to escape with their lives.

“We believe these fires were deliberately set,” said Sgt Rick Skolrood, RCMP NCO In Charge of the Bella Coola detachment.

“No one’s been harmed but there is always a potential so we are taking it very seriously.”

Suspicions as to the cause of the fires have been mounting with every incident they have investigated, he said.

“It doesn’t make any sense statistically to have this many fires.”

Skolrood is asking anyone with information regarding the fires to call the Bella Coola RCMP at 250 799 5363 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

The special investigator is expected to arrive in Bella Coola Tuesday.

Coast Mountain News