A woman in her 30s was arrested after fire crews were kept busy with a series of fires in Port Alberni on Wednesday.
In a media release, Port Alberni RCMP said they were contacted in the early evening on Wednesday, March 29th, to the 4800 block of Wallace Street to assist the Port Alberni Fire Department.
It was the second fire in the area in just over an hour.
During the investigation, officers identified a woman in her 30s who witnesses observed at both fires. She was arrested a short time later.
According to a Facebook post by the Port Alberni Fire Department, the first fire was set just before 6 p.m., in a brushed area next to the train tracks at Stamp Avenue and Roger Street.
According to the fire department, the fire grew to about 20 by 50 feet in size.
About a half hour later, around 6:30 p.m., fire crews were called to a second grass and brush fire between Wallace Street and Stamp Avenue.
Following those fires, three more fires were set between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.:
- Just after 7 p.m., fire crews doused a stump fire at Dunbar Street
- A few minutes later they were called to a dumpster fire in the 3100-block of Second Avenue
- A fifth fire was set just before 9 p.m. near Kingsway and Third Avenues
- “It is concerning to see deliberate fires being set like this in the centre of town. After multiple suspicious fires were set last year, we understand the public’s concern for the safety of their homes and properties,” stated Constable Richard Johns, media relations officer.
“The comprehensive investigation of front line officers, tied with the vigilance of concerned citizens has hopefully put a damper on an early fire season in the Alberni Valley.”
All fires have been deemed suspicious, however, RCMP did not elaborate which fires they believe she is connected with.
The woman was released from custody the next day on strict conditions, and will be monitored by community corrections, police said.
