Delta motorhome fire caused by suspects attempting to siphon gas from station

Delta Police confirm the motorhome fire that sent three people to hospital on Saturday was caused by an attempt to siphon gas from the holding tanks of the gas station nearby.

“Typically, gasoline stolen in this fashion is subsequently sold on the black market for a substantial discount over pump prices,” said Delta Police spokesperson A/Sgt. Sarah Swallow. “This case is by no means the first of its kind and it illustrates the potentially devastating impact of this type of criminal behaviour. This method of obtaining gasoline poses inherent dangers to innocent bystanders, first responders, property, and the suspects themselves.”

At about 3 a.m. on March 15, police and fire responded to calls to the 10200-block of River Road and found the motorhome fully engulfed in flames.

Delta Police investigators believe that the motorhome was parked over the top of the in-ground fuel tanks. Once parked, the suspects then removed a trap door in the floorboards of the motorhome and accessed the tanks. Police estimate that the suspects siphoned hundreds of litres of gasoline from the in-ground tank into a large plastic storage tank inside the motorhome. During the siphoning process an unknown ignition source ignited the on-board gasoline, resulting in the fire and severe injuries to the victims.

Two men found at the scene remain in critical but stable condition in hospital, and the injured woman who was seen fleeing from the fire was later found at a New Westminster address. She was treated for severe burns.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and the suspects face several potential charges, including theft over $5,000.