Some of the Kelowna, B.C., evacuees, who were allowed back into their homes on Tuesday, returned to find that their properties had been robbed and vandalized.
"We are very upset about it,'' said Wayne Desabrais one of about 11,000 West Kelowna residents who were ordered to evacuate after a large wildfire broke out in the area on Saturday.
He said his wife was given only two minutes to get out and didn't have time to lock up.
When they got back, they found that the house had been trashed, by vandals who broke down the door and stole computers and jewelry.
"It's kind of like taking a purse from an old lady that's had a heart attack. You're taking advantage of people in distress," Desabrais said.
CTV has learned that the home was among 10 that were broken into, according to the RCMP.
The break-ins occurred at houses that were evacuated in the Glenrosa neighbourhood.
Police say they chased some suspicious characters on all-terrain vehicles on Saturday night, but they got away.
With report from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington