North Vancouver RCMP have started an arson investigation after someone torched a parked truck in Central Lonsdale, Monday night (March 28).
Residents first called 911 around 8:45 p.m. when they saw smoke and flames coming from a late model grey Dodge Ram parked in a small, city-owned gravel parking lot at the corner of Jones Avenue and 18th Street.
North Vancouver City Fire Department assistant chief Dave Owens said his crew extinguished the blaze and turned the scene over to North Vancouver RCMP, who are now investigating.
“It was severely burned,” said Sgt. Peter DeVries, North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson. “It’s an arson investigation.”
Nearby resident Ryan Benson said he first feared there was a fire burning in the nearby ravine, until he came for a closer look.
“The fire was just on the roof of the truck at that point and looked like it was coming from the inside,” he said. “They took a little while to knock it down.”
Benson said there were no other vehicles parked in the lot at the time. The lot is rarely used by anyone unless Mahon Park, across the street, is particularly busy.
Last time a vehicle was found burning in North Vancouver, it was confirmed to be a stolen getaway vehicle used in the March 11 fatal gang shooting at the North Vancouver Real Canadian Superstore.
Anyone who witnessed the truck go up in flames, or who may have information about the blaze, is asked to contact North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311.
