NANAIMO — RCMP have released a video of a suspect lighting a grass fire in the empty lot at 357 Howard Ave. at 5:40 a.m. on Aug. 2.
Mounties are asking the public for help identifying the man in the video.
A second fire was set in the same lot on Aug. 7 and police said it may have been the same person involved in both fires.
Anyone with information is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers.
EARLIER: Two small fire starts in the same residiential lot have Nanaimo RCMP concerned about a possible fire bug.
Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW the two fires, one on Aug. 2 and another on Aug. 7 in the same small field in the 300 block of Howard St. were “intentionally set.”
“These fires are stopped because of alert witnesses and the fact the City of Nanaimo fire crews responded quickly and doused the fire. It was a lot in a residential area which could have very easily spread to adjacent homes.”
In the first fire, RCMP are searching for a white man, between 18 and 22 who’s approximately 6′ with short dark hair wearing a dark shirt. In the second incident, RCMP were told witnesses saw a man dressed in black with a backpack.
“We can’t say it’s the same male, but because of the fact it’s the same lot and two separate occasions, it might just be the same person involved.”
If anyone knows anything about these two fires, or any small fires which have been started around the City of Nanaimo, they’re urged to call RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
island-news@jpbg.ca
On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow
