The brave firefighters who help keep the community safe are now asking that same community to step up and help them.
The Sechelt fire department is faced with a daunting task of replacing 40 vehicles at their Mason Road training facility - vehicles that were being stockpiled for the Western B.C. regional auto extrication competition that Sechelt was to host in September.
"There are no words that can explain how disappointing this is," said acting Fire Chief Trevor Pike. "The guys have put lots of effort into this. We're planning on putting on a first-class event, but if we can't get the cars replaced in the next few weeks we may have to pull the plug and cancel hosting the event. But right now, that's not our focus. We're just trying to put on a brave face and hope we can recover."
Fire crews and Sunshine Coast RCMP responded to the blaze just before 5 a.m. on Saturday morning. The fire consumed the vehicles and came dangerously close to the Sunshine Coast Regional District transit bus compound.
"Fire suppression efforts were focused on saving the transit buses and then extinguishing the vehicle fires," said Pike. "One transit bus was slightly damaged, but the 40 vehicles were completely lost and a power pole/light standard was damaged as a result of the fire."
Pike said three RCMP units and the dog tracking team attended the scene.
"Although it appears the fire was deliberately set, that has not been confirmed," said Pike. "The possibility of this incident being linked to previous events has also not been determined. The investigation is ongoing."
RCMP are now investigating 17 fires that are suspicious in nature that have occurred on the Coast since April 1. A person of interest is still being sought by police for questioning in a possible connection to three fires on Sechelt Indian Band lands on July 12. A boat fire in Selma Park on July 15 is also under investigation. A fire that destroyed a home in Wilson Creek also on July 15 in not considered suspicious by police and, contrary to rumours in the community, is not part of any police investigation.
RCMP are appealing to the public for information on any of the suspicious fires by contacting police at 604-885-2266 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
The fire department is also appealing to the public to help them replace the torched vehicles.
"A lot of people have stepped up to help us out and help others out during all these recent fires," Pike said. "It's good to see the community coming through because the community is pulling together and helping out. Hopefully people in the community will help us out with some cars so we can still put on the event in September."
If you have an old vehicle or know someone who does and wish to donate it, contact the department at 604-885-7017.
