Abbotsford Police say they are troubled by three suspicious fires that occurred within hours of each other on Wednesday.
Const. Ian MacDonald said investigators have not determined whether the fires are linked, but their proximity and the time frame in which they started has raised concerns.
The heaviest damage occurred to an abandoned home and garage in the 32000 block of Hillcrest Avenue. Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service crews were called to the scene at about 3 a.m. and quickly put out the flames, but there was extensive damage.
There are several vacant homes in that area which are scheduled for demolition to make way for development.
A second fire was reported at 4:25 a.m. in the 32300 block of Marshall Road at the Red Apple Food Store, which has some residential suites.
A resident of the building awoke, heard some noise and spotted the fire, which had begun at the outside rear of the structure.
Residents called 911 and began dousing the flames with buckets of water and hoses.
There was some damage to the building, but none of the seven occupants were injured.
A third fire was discovered when employees arrived at work at a bank in the 2500 block of Clearbrook Road.
MacDonald said the fire had started in a outside covered area but didn't spread, and caused minimal damage.
The Abbotsford Police Department's (APD) major crime unit, crime analysis unit, forensic identification unit, and fire investigators are investigating these incidents.
Anyone with information is asked to call the APD at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
