Mounties in Courtenay are asking the public for help as they investigate an arson that occurred in the city Thursday night.
Police received a report from the Courtenay Fire Department around 9:30 p.m. about a fire on the steps of the old Courtenay Train Station on Cumberland Road, Comox Valley RCMP said in a news release Friday.
“A witness approached firefighters with surveillance footage showing an individual approaching the area, lighting a fire, and then departing on foot,” the RCMP release reads.
Police said they had obtained the video from the witness and are canvassing the area for additional surveillance video.
“We are waiting to hear from several businesses regarding additional footage of the suspect,” said Const. Monika Terragni, in the release.
“In the meantime, we are asking anyone who was in the area before and after 8:30 p.m. to review their surveillance or dashcam footage and to recall any unusual activity that may assist in the investigation.”
Mounties shared a single, blurry photo of the suspect, who they say was wearing “a beige jacket, patterned pants, beige boots, and a black backpack with lighter-coloured item(s) attached.”
Police also said they seized evidence from the scene and are receiving assistance from the Integrated Forensic Identification Section. They did not elaborate on what the seized evidence was.
Anyone who has information or video related to this investigation is asked to call Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 and reference file number 2025-1399.
Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
