Observer SALMON ARM
Wednesday October 17, 2012 www.saobserver.net $1.25 HST INCLUDED PM40008236
JAMES MURRAY/OBSERVER
Arson investigated House fire: RCMP confirm blaze was started intentionally. By Barb Brouwer OBSERVER STAFF
Police are investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a 10th Avenue SE home in the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 13. “It’s most definitely suspicious,” says Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley, noting firefighters from halls #2 and #3 responded to the fire that was called in at 3:35 a.m. “When we deem it suspicious, we hand it over to the RCMP.” Sgt. Carlos Tettolowski of the local RCMP detachment confirms Shirley’s suspicion in a press release. “The subsequent investigation has indicated that the fire was intentionally started, and the investigation is ongoing with the assistance of the regional fire investigator,” he writes.
Shirley says the house was fully involved with flames shooting up the roof when firefighters arrived on scene. He credits two young men with calling in the fire and going into the burning house to make sure nobody was inside. “That was very good on their part, for waking the neighbours too,” he said. “They confirmed nobody was in residence and that was great for us to know so we could concentrate on fighting the fire without worrying about rescue.” Shirley adds that, as always, firefighters searched the house again once the fire was knocked down enough for them to enter. He says the front door was unlocked, making access easier for the two Good Samaritans. One of the young men, who wishes
to be known only as Kyle, says credit goes to a young woman who was riding in the same truck and alerted them to the flames. “One of the girls saw the flames and said, ‘there’s a house on fire,’” he says. “We didn’t believe her at first, but we went back and me and Dillon hopped out of the truck and went into the house.” While firefighters were able to knock down the fire quickly, the house is a complete write-off. “We did a defensive attack, shooting water on the exterior,” says Shirley. “Our initial concern was the exposure of the house on the west side.” Police are seeking the public’s assistance and anyone with information is asked to call the RCMP at 250832-6044 or Crime Stoppers.
This week The SilverBacks celebrated a double-overtime win over their arch rivals. See A21 for more. Kay McCracken breaks out her creepy new tale with a reading at Haney’s Spooktacular. See A27.
BRANDON EGGER PHOTO
Scene: (Top) Assistant Fire Chief Rod Macfarlane, Fire Chief Brad Shirley and RCMP Const. Gwen McLennan inspect what’s left of a house on 10th Avenue SE destroyed by fire in the early hours Saturday. (Above) Firefighters battle the fire, burning in full force.
Index Life & Times ............... A5 Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Sports............... A21-A24 Arts & Events ... A25-A28 Time Out................... A29 Vol. 105, No. 42, 52 pages