The Coquitlam RCMP are investigating a suspicious fire in the 1900-block of Fraser Avenue in Port Coquitlam that destroyed three buildings and displaced a dozen people.
Tuesday’s fire resulted in the evacuation of several residents, including two families with children attending James Park elementary school where fundraising is underway.
“It’s a tragic story. One family is bad enough but to have two of our kids in the same day is tough,” said Lindsay Krause, who is chair of the school’s Parent Advisory Council.
So far, a few hundred dollars in cash and gift cards, as well as clothing and toiletries, have been collected, but more is needed because the families had to flee the fire with nothing but the clothes on their back, Krause said.
“What they can benefit from the most is cash and gift cards, because at the end of this they can get what they need.”
A GoFundMe page has also been set up for each of the families — www.gofundme.com/jessicaandaustin for Jessica, and her son, Austin, 6, and another at at www.gofundme.com/p47uan-help-for-my-daughter for the family of a young girl, Victoria, who also lost their rented home and all their belongings.
POCO BOY A HERO
Krause said the families are living in a hotel and figuring out what to do next. The PAC has sent over clothing and toiletries already and will store anything extra in a portable on the school grounds until they are needed.
To help via the James Park PAC, people can send cash or cheques earmarked "Fire Relief" to the school, care of the James Park PAC. (Cheques should also be made out to James Park PAC). Gift cards to local stores such as Walmart, Canadian Superstore and other grocery stores would also be appreciated and would be handed over to the families as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, young Austin is also credited for saving the lives of his family because he was the one who woke up and urged everyone to leave the house.
PoCo’s Fire Chief Nick Delmonico told The Tri-City News that the little boy told a fire education officer that he knew what to do because he had just learned about the importance of escape plans as part of this week’s Fire Prevention Week.
“It’s very good news from an education point of view,” Delmonico said.
He also confirmed that Coquitlam RCMP are taking over the case.
According to Delmonico, Tuesday’s fire was deemed suspicious because it started in a building under construction that was not hooked up to electrical and thus didn’t have a potential ignition source.
“We were unable to determine a cause, but at this time it’s deemed suspicious and handed over to the RCMP for further investigation,” Delmonico, said.
RED CROSS INVOLVED
Cpl. Michael McLaughlin confirmed police are handling the case although he said the police have been working alongside PoCo fire all week.
“I spoke to some of our detectives, they are in the process of gathering evidence in our investigation,” McLaughlin said.
Police are searching for evidence that can explain what caused the fire that began in a construction site and spread to two nearby homes and melted the siding off of neighbouring residences.
In all nine people were affected by Tuesday’s fire and are expected to get some help and support from the Red Cross, according to the city of Port Coquitlam. In addition to the two homes and house under construction that were damaged, a nearby group home sustained water damage.
A trap has also been set for a cat belonging to one of the residents that went missing after the fire.
