Police will be recommending arson charges against a 52-year-old Abbotsford man in connection to two suspicious house fires that occurred early Tuesday morning.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the man lives close to both residences.
One of the homes – located at 1012 Columbia St. – was occupied at the time of the fire, which occurred at about 3:30 a.m. The female resident was sleeping, but was able to escape without injury.
Heavy flames were coming from the rear of the residence when Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service (AFRS) crews arrived on scene. An "aggressive attack" brought the blaze under control, but the home suffered extensive fire and smoke damage, said fire prevention officer Steve Oldroyd.
The second house fire took place at about 4:20 a.m. at 819 Clearbrook Rd. – not far from the other blaze. Heavy flames were coming through the upper-floor windows when AFRS arrived.
Oldroyd said the house, which suffered extensive damage, was unoccupied at the time.
Also that morning, AFRS dealt with another suspicious fire, which occurred at about 3 a.m. to a car in the 37000 block of Vye Road. The vehicle, which was abandoned by railway tracks and away from any buildings, was destroyed by the blaze.