A fire along Stannard Dr. in the city's south end on Sunday morning is believed to be deliberately set with two people seen running away from the home. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

arson suspected

Fire at known problem house in Cinnabar Valley deemed deliberately set

Jul 10, 2023 | 11:07 AM

NANAIMO — Local Mounties are searching for two people seen running from a burning home in the Cinnabar Valley.

Just before 5 a.m. on Sunday, July 9, Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were called to a home in the 1900 block of Stannard Dr. with smoke coming from a known problem home.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said when police arrived, Fire Rescue were on scene dealing with the fire, which was later deemed to be deliberately set.

“Two individuals were seen running away from the home shortly after the fire broke out. They are unknown so we are currently looking for those two.”

O’Brien said there’s little information on the two people other than they are believed to be men, however, police don’t have any approximate ages or descriptions.

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Two other occupants of the property were accounted for and uninjured.

Flames were doused and fire inspectors, along with RCMP, worked over the damage for any forensic evidence on Sunday.

The home is a known issue for area residents.

“It’s a lot of concern from the neighbourhood, causing a lot of pressure from illegal squatting and drug use,” O’Brien added. “We’ve attended to the home a number of times.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Nanaimo RCMP at 250 754 2345, quoting file number 2023-23274.

RCMP officers taped off an area around the home, while those loosely linked to the property cleared out belongings. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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