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PHOTO CONTEST go to
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Independent Retirement Living with Supportive Services
DRIVEWAY: Meet the truck firefighters rely on /A13 FAMILY: Childcare providers prepare for strike /A20 HOMEFINDER: Realtors focus in on seniors /A25
Shakespeare heads oudoors in big production Page A17
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VICTORIANEWS Friday, August 8, 2014
Proudly serving Esquimalt & Victoria
Suspicious fires spark arson investigations Officials launch probe into eight separate fires in two-day span Drew McLachlan News staff
A house fire on Speed Avenue early Tuesday morning marked Victoria’s fifth fire over the long weekend, in addition to three in Esquimalt. The fire caused significant damage to an abandoned house on 607 Speed Ave., starting on the back deck before spreading to the house and detached garage. The other fires all took place early Monday morning, and included a grass fire in Vic West, an occupied residency and the interior of an abandoned building both on Prior Street and a detached shed outside a home on Topaz Avenue. When the fires occurred, Victoria
Police Department was already carrying out investigations for a string of suspicious fires set between April 25 and May 19. While fire prevention officer Megan Sabell said it was too early to confirm a connection between the fires, the and location makes it possible that the same individual or individuals may be responsible. The Victoria Fire Department has seen a sharp rise in the amount of fires this year, 46 so far, compared to a total of 30 in 2013. Of those 46, VicPD is investigating 30 of them as suspicious. Several of these fires have taken place in abandoned buildings. “Historically, we haven’t had a lot of fires in vacant buildings, but this year we have,” Sabell said. “We’re not sure if they’re being tar8' 10' coming 12' geted or if people are just across them, thinking it may be good practice.” PLEASE SEE: Abandoned buildings, Page A18
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Photo by Boaz Joseph/Black Press
Superman catch
An14'leaping catch by John Vulcano of the Cloverdale Spurs wasn’t quick enough to stop Victoria Black Eagles’ Matteas Hamblin, right, from tagging second base during a B.C. Provincial Peewee AAA baseball championship game at Cloverdale Ball Park last Saturday.
Sunday, September 7th ~ 2pm
Supporting Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock Tickets: $15 ~ On sale August 1st at: Esquimalt Recreation Centre, Kirby’s Source for Sports, Sports Traders BONUS OFFER! Canucks Alumni ticket also ParkS + rECrEaTion
valid for Cougars J. Hockey Club vs. Saanich Braves Thurs., Sept. 11, Esquimalt’s Archie Browning Sports Centre
Event includes
Silent Auction
in the Esquimalt Curling Club!