Clothing rack at Vancouver Island Walmart set on fire, suspect arrested
A suspect was arrested at a Vancouver Island Walmart after allegedly lighting a clothing rack on fire Thursday night.
The store was evacuated after the fire started around 9:30 p.m., and thankfully no staff, shoppers or firefighters were injured in the blaze, Courtenay Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Welsh told CTV News.
He said crews arrived to heavy smoke in the store and extinguished the flames in the clothing section, adding the fire was an estimated 10-by-10 feet in size.
The brunt of the damage to the building was from smoke, Welsh said, and about 90 per cent of the store’s merchandise will have to be thrown out.
The Comox Valley RCMP has deemed the fire suspicious, and say they arrested a suspect at the scene.
“It was definitely lit; it wasn’t any kind of accidental fire,” Welsh said.
Mounties are asking anyone who witnessed the fire to call the detachment at (250) 334-5901 or leave an anonymous tip with Comox Valley Crime Stoppers.
The Walmart remained closed Friday and the fire department says it’s unknown when it will be back open.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Clothing recyclers frustrated by chaos, violence plaguing some clothing donation bins
An organization that represents clothing recyclers says they’re frustrated after a W5 investigation found a fake charity and some violent players connected to organized crime have been muscling in on the clothing donation bin industry, and is calling for governments to do more.
Poilievre promises to abolish federal sales tax on new homes under $1 million
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says if his party forms government, it will scrap the federal sales tax on new homes sold for less than $1 million and push provinces to do the same.
'Pieces of wood': Gummy candies recalled, Canadian Food Inspection Agency says
A recall has been issued for gummy candies due to pieces of wood, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Austrian mayor shot dead with suspect on the run, police say
A manhunt is underway in northern Austria after a hunter allegedly fatally shot two people and fled the scene, local police said Monday.
Ont. couple accused of human trafficking plead not guilty as trial gets underway
Marred by several delays, the trial of alleged human traffickers Lauriston and Amber Maloney is underway Monday in a Bradford courtroom, with both entering a not guilty plea.
Why a group of Canadian doctors says workplace sick notes need to go
Canadian doctors are calling for employers and schools not to require sick notes when it comes to short-term minor illnesses.
Next CPP payment coming on Tuesday for Canadian retirees
Here's how retirees will get their funds from the federal benefit.
Colin Farrell finishes Dublin Marathon while pushing friend in a wheelchair
Colin Farrell took time out from his acting schedule on Sunday to complete the Dublin Marathon – while pushing an old friend in a wheelchair.
Latin superstar Bad Bunny backs Harris for president after comedian's racist jokes at Trump event
Bad Bunny threw his support behind U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris on Sunday by sharing a video of the Democratic presidential nominee shortly after a comedian at Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally made crude jokes about Latinos and called Puerto Rico a 'floating island of garbage,' angering artists and some Hispanic Republicans.