Police continue to investigate a series of targeted arsons in the city’s South Slope neighbourhood caused by suspects throwing Molotov cocktails.
The first fire occurred on Tuesday, September 2nd. Shortly after 4:00 a.m., the residents of a home on E. 61st Avenue near Knight Street woke to a loud noise and flames inside their living room.
The second incident happened two days later on September 4th on E. 62nd Avenue. Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and the VPD were called after a fire was set at about 3:40 in the morning to the detached garage of the house.
The third fire was set early yesterday morning at about 4:00 a.m. at the rear of a home in the same area as the first two arsons. The fire caused minor damage to the garage. This last victim lives very close to the first two fires and investigators believe that they were not the intended target.
Police believe that all of the arsons are the result of an ongoing gang conflict. There is a concern that as the incidents continue to occur, there is a potential for injury or loss of life.
In all three cases, the suspects fled on motorcycles. Police are asking for anyone with information to call the Vancouver Police Major Crime Section at (604) 717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
