Fire investigators in Chilliwack are sifting through the charred debris of a church as they try to determine what sparked the blaze that gutted the building.
Flames broke out at the Cross Connection Church just before three yesterday afternoon.
A statement from the fire department says 54 firefighters battled the blaze but couldn't save the 75-year-old building.
Chilliwack R-C-M-P said investigators expected to be able to get inside today as they try to determine if the blaze is suspicious or criminal in nature.
New numbers released by Statistics Canada show investor-occupants made up almost 10 per cent of British Columbia homeowners in 2020. The agency attributes the high numbers in B-C to incremental forms of density, such as single-detached houses with secondary suites or laneway units, duplexes, or triplexes.
The province is offering 500-thousand dollars in grants for programs or plans aimed at helping seniors lead independent, active lives. Applications open June 1st for the age-friendly grants, which can be as much as 25-thousand dollars each.
Police in Victoria say two people have been arrested after reports of an armed break and enter at a residential building in the city. Two people were arrested and taken into custody three hours later, just before 11 A-M.
“When they should have been welcomed, they were instead met by hostility and prejudice. Canadian immigration officials refused to let them leave the boat. The passengers were confined to the ship for two months, during which supplies of food and even water were restricted, making conditions intolerable".
The Peace River Regional District has cancelled orders issued last week affecting properties threatened by the Stoddart Creek fire northeast of Fort St. John. The River Forecast Centre has posted flood watches for much of east-central B.C., from the Peace River area to the Kootenay, Boundary and Okanagan areas.
The board says Sunset Beach, Spanish Banks West and Second Beach were all without lifeguards on Sunday and Monday. It says the shortage also resulted in limited drop-in spots at city-owned pools at New Brighton and Second Beach.
