Suspicious fire destroys multiple boats in Vernon

VERNON — Arsonists are suspected of destroying three vessels at a boat shop in Vernon.

It happened around 3:00 a.m. at Banner Recreation Products. By the time fire crews arrived, one boat was fully engulfed in flames while two nearby vessels were seriously damaged.

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“We are treating it as a suspicious fire at this time,” says Gordon Molendyk , Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson.

Banner Recreation Products is open for business and shop manager J.R. Muncaster is thankful the blaze did not affect operations.

“I’ve been around the business for 35 years, it’s not something that happens frequently but it has happened before. It’s not foreign but it’s certainly not welcomed,” says Muncaster.

Muncaster estimates the fire destroyed $81,500 worth of boats.

The cause is under investigation.