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Police call Cassidy Inn Fire Suspicious

Jul 8, 2016 | 12:20 PM

Nanaimo RCMP say the fire that burned the former Cassidy Inn to the ground is suspicious.

That announcement was made Wednesday morning, one day after the now abandoned building was reduced to its foundation.

Investigators are now trying to figure out what started the blaze.

The building has been the focus of negative attention from the Regional District of Nanaimo board recently. The board had ordered the building demolished in late May, citing safety concerns.

One of the main concerns was that the building was a fire hazard.

Just last week, the owner was given 30 days to improve safety at the site and secure the property.

One of the stipulations laid out by the board was that the owner instal fire and security monitoring systems.

The RDN’s manager of building and bylaw services Tom Armet says the building was unsafe.

“It was brought to the attention of the board last week, of the unsafe conditions, including the risk of fire in that building,” said Armet.

He would not comment on whether the timing of the blaze was suspicious.

Armet said Tuesday active police and WorkSafeBC investigations were underway.