B.C. RCMP seeking pickup driver after 2 abandoned houses burned in Merritt
![Merritt fire Two abandoned houses in Merritt, B.C., were destroyed in an early morning fire on June 17, 2024. (Handout)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/6/17/merritt-fire-1-6930368-1718660885361.jpg)
Authorities are trying to identify the driver of a pickup truck that was spotted at the scene of a fire that burned down two abandoned homes in B.C.'s Nicola Valley early Monday morning.
The fire began at a property off Midday Valley Road in Merritt before spreading to a neighbouring building, according to the RCMP.
Both abandoned homes were destroyed, but firefighters managed to douse the flames before they spread to a third building.
Investigators are now looking to speak with someone who was behind the wheel of a "dark pickup truck" that a witness saw pulling up to the properties just before 2 a.m.
"A few minutes later, the structure was on fire and the pickup truck fled the area at a high rate of speed," Staff Sgt. Josh Roda of the Merritt RCMP said in a statement. "We would like to identify and speak with the occupant of the truck to determine what may have occurred."
Authorities asked anyone with information on what happened – including potential video of the pickup – to call Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.
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