Suspicious garage fire in Penticton

PENTICTON — RCMP are investigating a suspicious garage fire in Penticton.

The flames broke out Sunday night; fire crews were called to a home on Calgary Avenue and Fairview Road shortly before 10:30 p.m.

When crews arrived they found the roof of a garage on fire.

Police believe the suspect or suspects put a flammable liquid in a Snapple bottle and threw the bottle on the roof of the garage before lighting some shingles on fire. Police do not believe the fire was targeted.

“At this point, it just looks like some random mischief. Some people figuring that they would throw this random cocktail up on the roof to see what happens,” says Rick Dellebur, Penticton RCMP Spokesperson.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "At this point, it just looks like some random mischief. Some people figuring that they would throw this random cocktail up on the roof to see what happens," says Rick Dellebur, Penticton RCMP Spokesperson."

Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says the homeowner had a fire extinguisher and was trying to douse the flames on his own before crews arrived to the scene.

Dellebur says it’s lucky the flames didn’t spread to nearby homes or cause significant damage to the garage.

“Unfortunately, this type of action could have had serious consequences had the fire really taken hold and got going in their neighborhood,” says Dellebur.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Unfortunately, this type of action could have had serious consequences had the fire really taken hold and got going in their neighborhood," says Dellebur.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

~ With files from Angela Jung