An investigation is underway after a bench was set ablaze outside a store at a North Vancouver plaza early Tuesday morning.
North Vancouver RCMP and the North Vancouver City Fire Department received reports of a fire around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday outside Winners at the Park and Tilford Centre.
"It appears that the fire started on the bench in front of the store, and then it kind of led to the front store," said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak, spokesperson for North Vancouver RCMP.
Fire Chief Greg Schalk said the fire was “small to medium” in size and caused smoke damage to the windows and interior near the front of the store. Crews were able to put out the fire quickly, but the business also has water damage near the area as the sprinkler system was activated during the blaze.
“It’s being deemed as suspicious at this point in time,” Schalk said.
A video from the scene shows flames from the bench reaching the store’s ceiling as the area fills with smoke.
The fire chief said there were no injuries noted and no one was on scene when crews arrived. An employee outside the store Tuesday morning said they are hoping to open later today.
Sahak said the investigation is still ongoing.
Police are asking anyone who saw anything in the area or with knowledge about the fire to call 604-985-1311 and quote file 25-14654.
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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