'There could've been people inside': Sooke building burned in suspicious fire was days away from demolition
An excavator is pulling down what’s left of an old, familiar landmark in Sooke – after the former Mulligan’s Bar and Grill site was torched in a fire early Wednesday morning.
Firefighters rushed to the property at 2197 Otter Point Rd. around 5:30 a.m., finding lots of flames and one bit of relief.
"There could’ve been people inside," said Sooke Fire Rescue Department deputy chief, Matt Barney.
"But we confirmed there wasn’t and that was the main thing," he said.
The fire at 2197 Otter Point Rd. was called in by a passerby around 5:25 a.m. (CTV News)
The property, which was the former location of Mulligan's Bar and Grill until 2012, later served as a homeless shelter, and was vacant and slated for demolition and redevelopment at the time of the fire.
"Everyone’s talking about it," said Sooke resident Maggie Evans, who learned about the fire on social media when she woke up.
She was staying at a friend’s house nearby and says she was surprised they didn’t hear the sirens.
"I couldn’t even believe that it was a true story, but here we are," said Evans’ friend, Krista Schley.
Police are standing by, ready to pick up the investigation, because fire officials believe the cause of the fire is suspicious.
"We have evidence that there was forced entry into the structure and then, of course, there’s no power," said the deputy fire chief.
"There’s no utility going to the building. It’s been vacant for quite a long time," he added.
FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION
Sooke RCMP say an arson investigation is underway, though it's still in its early stages.
Bill Foster is a listed property owner for the land. He says they recently took their insurance off the property upon completion of hazmat removal.
Foster says they were getting ready for a demolition that was just days away.
"It basically is going to cost a bit more money to demo it than was already planned," he said.
There are plans to redevelop the land for housing and commercial space.
The road was closed around the property for hours as firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and the excavator worked to take down the remainder of the burnt building.
Sooke RCMP say that Wednesday's fire is the fourth suspicious fire to occur within the District of Sooke over the last two months.
Police say that each of the fires were set in a "similar geographic area," within walking distance of Sooke's downtown core.
The first two fires were lit at an unoccupied structure on Eustace Road on Aug. 11 and again on Sept. 18.
The third suspicious fire affected a derelict vehicle at an abandoned residence on Townsend Road on Sept. 27, according to police.
"Clearly a pattern of suspicious fires has been established and investigators are working to identify a suspect and, in turn, prevent further person-caused fires in our community," said Sgt. Kevin Shaw, operations commander for the Sooke RCMP in a release.
"Each fire has been reported in the late night or early morning hours, and the Sooke RCMP encourage members of the public to report any information about the fires, or any suspicious activities to the Sooke RCMP," he said. "While each of these fires have involved unoccupied property, they still pose an obvious risk to the public and to the emergency services called to respond."
Anyone with information, or who may have dashcam footage of Otter Point Road between 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, is asked to contact Sooke RCMP in person or by phone at 250-642-5241.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.