A fire that occurred at an Abbotsford fitness centre last week has been officially declared an arson.
Members of the Abbotsford Police Department's major crime unit are heading the investigation into the blaze at World Gym at 33122 South Fraser Way, and are asking for anyone with information to come forward.
Const. Ian MacDonald said there were numerous people gathered at the scene during and after the fire, and police weren't able to talk to all of them. He said the initial focus is on bringing the situation under control and ensuring everyone is safe.
Evidence-gathering comes later, but MacDonald said many people had left the scene before police had an opportunity to question them.
"There's always a possibility within a group that, for whatever reason, individuals don't want to identify themselves or don't want to identify themselves publicly."
Another factor is people sometimes believe the information they have is minor, but every detail is important to an investigation, MacDonald added.
He could not speak on the suspected cause of the fire, but the Abbotsford News previously reported that a police officer was seen picking up a plastic gas can on the front lawn of an apartment complex behind World Gym and a plastic cap from the front of the business.
The fire took place at about 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 3 and began in the interior front entrance of the building.
Anyone with information who has not yet spoken to police is asked to call the APD at 604-859-5225 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.