Multiple vehicles and a tent with two people in it were set on fire by a suspected arsonist in Burnaby last weekend, police say.
On Sunday at about 7 a.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of two burned vehicles in the area of Beresford Street and Dow Avenue, according to a Burnaby RCMP news release.
While at the scene, officers were alerted to another fire that had happened about 100 metres away.
That blaze had involved a tent occupied by two people.
The two people suffered minor burns putting the fire out, according to the release, and Burnaby RCMP’s mental health and homelessness outreach team is working to help them secure safe accommodation.
“Luckily a member of our community saw that the tent was on fire and alerted the occupants. We are thankful that these two individuals did not suffer serious injuries,” Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Mike Kalanj said.
As officers continued their investigation, they located another arson scene just north of Central Boulevard on Bonsor Avenue.
Three vehicles had been damaged, including one which was partially burnt, according to police.
Police say the arsonist’s attempts to set those vehicles on fire were thwarted when a witness confronted the suspect and the suspect fled.
Police said that arson had happened at 6:30 a.m.
Burnaby RCMP released a video Thursday showing the vehicle fire at Beresford Street and Dow Avenue.
The video shows a shadowy “person of interest" walking by the fire.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed that incident or has dash cam and was driving in the area of Beresford Street and Dow Avenue or Central Boulevard and Bonsor Avenue on Oct. 4 between 6:15 and 7 a.m. to contact Burnaby RCMP.
Call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.solvecrime.ca.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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