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‘Suspicious’ View Royal mobile home fire threatened nearby trailers

A fire that destroyed a trailer and forced the evacuation of about 10 nearby mobile homes in View Royal is suspicious, police say.
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A fire at a View Royal trailer park is suspicious, RCMP say.

A fire that destroyed a trailer and forced the evacuation of about 10 nearby mobile homes in View Royal is suspicious, police say.

West Shore RCMP said residents of the Thetis Lake Campground and Trailer Park on West Park Lane called View Royal Fire about 11 p.m. Thursday to report a trailer engulfed in flames.

There were initial reports that three people were inside the trailer, but firefighters later learned the occupants had left, said View Royal Fire Chief Paul Hurst.

Twenty-three firefighters from View Royal and Colwood fire departments fought the blaze.

“The fire conditions were so heavy when we arrived the crew couldn’t make entry right away,” Hurst said.

“They knocked the fire down and propane tanks starting exploding, so it was tough to get at.”

Ten trailers in the area were evacuated. The flames came within three metres of some homes.

After about 10 minutes, firefighters were able to control the fire and get inside the trailer to find that it was empty.

The fire also spread to some trees overhead.

“We lost a couple of big oak trees, but the guys managed to keep it to the area without spreading too far,” Hurst said.

Fire inspectors determined the fire started inside the trailer.

Mounties were called to the scene to launch a criminal investigation.

kderosa@timescolonist.com