A homeless man’s belongings were set on fire outside a crematorium in downtown Nanaimo early Saturday.
Const. Gary O’Brien of Nanaimo RCMP said that police received reports of a fire on the exterior of the Evergreen Cremation Centre, at 164 Nicol Street, shortly after midnight.
RCMP are deeming the fire suspicious. O’Brien said that the RCMP is in possession of “very grainy” security camera video that shows two individuals appearing to be playing with or moving the belongings shortly before the incident.
“The next thing you know, there’s a bright light,” he said.
Police were able to find the individual whose belongings were set on fire, O’Brien said.
“Obviously, he was upset,” he said, adding that the man said he didn’t know why someone would target him.
Deputy Chief Geoff Whiting of Nanaimo Fire Rescue said the initial fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. But they were on scene for quite a while. “They had to cut into the walls and roof to make sure that the file was out,” he said.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call RCMP at 250-754-2345.
