Burnaby firefighters called to multiple suspicious fires
A Molotov cocktail was found burning, but unbroken, before multiple fires were reported
Burnaby firefighters were called multiple times after someone lit fires and left a burning Molotov cocktail on the street.
The molotov cocktail, an improvised firebomb using a bottle, was found ignited but not yet broken by the heat, next to the curb on Tenth Ave., near Langley St. at about 3:30 a.m. PT Saturday.
Firefighters say they were able to quickly extinguish the flame.
Burnaby Fire Captain Michael Hurley said his crew didn't think much of the first incident, as the flame was so small.
"Initially, we were looking at it like, 'this is kind of a waste of time,' but we were able to pour the gasoline out and take care of that," he said.
...and firefighters have this one under control. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Molotovcocktail?src=hash">#Molotovcocktail</a> <a href="https://t.co/uhyZSJ5m53">pic.twitter.com/uhyZSJ5m53</a>
—@raffertybakerBut as Hurley and his crew were leaving, they noticed a plume of smoke around the corner.
"There was real flame and it looked very impressive from the front, but it was actually a garbage can behind the garage," said Hurley. "It smelled like some kind of accelerant was used there, too, so obviously it was probably related to the first incident."
Then, as that fire was put out, the fire department got calls about more flames blocks away.
"Obviously somebody was moving through the area, you know, probably thinking they were having some fun, but it's not really that fun," said Hurley.
Neighbours who declined to give their names said they were awoken at 4 a.m. PT by a loud explosion. They initially thought their garage was on fire, but it turned out to be another garbage can, pulled into the middle of the alley and ignited.
Finally, as the tireless crew was packing up from that fire, smoke was noticed coming from the other side of the fence. The Burnaby firefighters forced a gate open and found a fourth fire burning in a backyard storage area. That was quickly put out before it could spread.
Hurley says ash from the third fire likely sparked the fourth fire.
The captain said that, while it was quite frightening for residents, the fires were relatively minor. It appeared the garbage cans were pulled away from garages and fences before they were lit.
"It's probably some kids having some fun on a night out. I'm hoping that's what it is, anyway," said Hurley
Burnaby RCMP will investigate the incidents along with a fire investigator.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-294-7922.
