A house belonging to British Columbia Lieutenant-Governor Steven Point has been damaged by a suspicious fire.
The Chilliwack Fire Department was called to Point's family home, near the Yakweakwioose and Skowkale Indian reserves on Chilliwack River Road, around 5 a.m. on Sunday morning.
The RCMP told CTV News they believed arson was the cause of the blaze.
"This is not an accidental fire. It's suspicious -- and certainly would appear to be arson -- intentionally set any arson is concerning," said Cpl. Peter Thiessen. "When it's targetted at a home of a fairly high-level individual within the province it's very concerning."
There appears to be extensive damage to the residence, but no one was at home or injured by the fire. The lieutenant-governor and his family were in Victoria but his wife, Gwendolyn, has gone to the site to help investigators.
Mark Point, the lieutenant-governor's brother, said he was awakened by knocking on the door of his own home.
"One of my nephews knocked on my door. We were sound asleep -- my wife and I -- and they yelled through the door that Uncle Steven's house was on fire," he said.
He said the family has no idea why someone would do this.
"And all of the personal belongings, cultural regalia was inside. Oh, he's very upset," he said.
A criminal arson investigation is underway which involves Upper Fraser Valley Regional District serious crimes and local first nations Police. Forensic services are also on the scene.
Point was sworn in as B.C.'s first aboriginal lieutenant-governor on Oct. 1, 2007.
Previously, he was the chief commissioner of the British Columbia Treaty Commission, and served as an elected Chief of the Skowkale First Nation for 15 years. He was also the tribal chair of the St�:lo Nation Government and chosen as grand chief.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Shannon Paterson.
