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Car fire in Nanaimo suspected to be arson after man ‘walked out of the smoke’

RCMP looking for witnesses to fire that destroyed vehicle in Terminal Park area
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Nanaimo Fire Rescue extinguished a vehicle fire at Poplar Street and Estevan Road on Monday, Jan. 31. (News Bulletin file photo)

Nanaimo RCMP are looking for any witnesses after a fire destroyed a vehicle in an apartment building parkade yesterday.

According to an RCMP press release, firefighters were called to the fire at an apartment complex in the 600 block of Poplar Street shortly before 7 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 31.

Upon arrival, fire crews found a vehicle engulfed in flames and reported to police that a man “walked out of the smoke.”

Police found the man nearby, who said he’d been sleeping in the parkade, was awakened by the smoke and left.

Const. Sherri Wade, Nanaimo RCMP spokesperson, referred to the incident as “suspected arson” in the release and said police are asking for assistance from the public.

“The vehicle is destroyed and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.

Anyone who was near the parkade at the corner of Poplar Street and Estevan Road between 6:30 and 7 a.m. Jan 31 or has dashcam footage is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2022-3443.

READ ALSO: Homeowner frustrated after arsonist burns shed and vintage car in Nanaimo



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