The Coquitlam RCMP says it has arrested a man in connection with three separate fires Thursday afternoon, saying the blazes appear to have been connected and deliberately set.
The RCMP says it responded to the first fire at Fremont Village shopping plaza near Fremont Connector and Sherling Avenue in Port Coquitlam. According to the Coquitlam Fire, the other two fires were set in two separate stores in a Coquitlam strip mall.
Crews were called to the second fire, this one at Winners at the Westwood Mall on Lougheed Highway near Westwood Street, just before 2 pm, where some clothing was set on fire.
There was a “considerable amount of smoke,” Chief Scott Young tells CityNews, and the store was evacuated.
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, Young says.
Shortly after this fire, crews were called to Superstore in the same strip mall, where Young says a display of toilet paper was set ablaze.
“The fire seemed to be limited to the toilet paper display,” he said. “I don’t think that there was any damage beyond the products, other than probably some smoke damage.”
Mounties say the fires are under investigation. Police are asking anyone who may have information to call them at 604-945-1550.
