On May 15th, 2016, shortly after 5 a.m., White Rock RCMP responded with White Rock Fire Department to a report of a fire in the 15200 block of Royal Avenue. Upon attendance, first responders found the building at the site fully engulfed in flames.
The building was under construction at the time and not occupied. The site under construction was completely destroyed and the fire heavily damaged the building directly to the north which was occupied by over 100 residents and several local businesses.
Members of the White Rock Fire Department and the White Rock RCMP have been investigating the incident and have determined that the fire was deliberately set.
Waiting for the fire chief to update us on the #whiterock fire. Water running low in the city, boil water advisory pic.twitter.com/L6iM0yELGZ
— Meera Bains (@Meerakati) May 15, 2016
This fire and the resulting displacement of the building's residents has understandably shaken our community. The fact that it is now believed this fire was intentionally set will likely cause further distress to those residents, says Cst. Chantal Sears, Media Relations Officer, White Rock RCMP.
Anyone with information, or who may have seen anything suspicious in the early morning hours of May 15th, 2016, is asked to contact the White Rock RCMP at 778-593-3600. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through their website at Solvecrime.ca.
