An intentionally set fire at Thetis Lake Park in View Royal had crews battling steep terrain to extinguish the blaze.
The fire was started at around 5 p.m. Wednesday at the base of the sunnyside cliffs on the east side of the lake and because of that, crews were forced to fight the fire from the water.
According to Fire Chief Paul Hurst, witnesses reported seeing a group of seven young males light the fire and flee prior to department members arriving on scene.
A firefighter was able to locate the boys attempting to board a BC Transit bus near the Six Mile Road and Island Highway intersection. They were detained and questioned by the West Shore RCMP but it was determined the one who actually lit the fire – while being encouraged by the others – was not with the group.
Later that evening, fire and RCMP officials identified the person believed to have set the fire. The investigation is still underway with charges being considered.
“This was an extremely dangerous and wreckless act by the offending individual,” Hurst said in a statement. “Not only did he endanger the visitors and the park, he put at risk the safety of fire crews given the difficult location of the fire. Given current fire conditions, if not for a quick response, the outcome could have been much worse.”
Fire crews were on scene for about an hour with 16 firefighters, two chief officers, a brush truck, one engine and a marine unit.
This incident is the second in that area that View Royal Fire has responded to this week. Crews were at Thetis Lake on Tuesday after two 16-year-old boys nearly drowned.