UPDATE: 38 YEAR OLD MAN CHARGED WITH ONE COUNT OF ARSON
Cst. Chris Terleski, Media Relations, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP:
"On January 15th, 2022, 38-year old Matthew Eric Mason appeared in court by way of a tele-hearing and was charged with one count of arson with disregard for human life and one count of failing to comply with a release order. Mr Mason was remanded into custody until his next court appearance on January 20th, 2022.
As the matter is now before the court, no additional information will be released."
Previous UPDATE:
RCMP: Residential fire under investigation
File # 2022-727
Constable Chris Terleski, Media Relations Officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP,
"The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP’s General Investigation Section has been called to assist with the investigation into a fire that destroyed a Coldstream residence Friday evening"
" The investigation is in the preliminary stages and the cause of the fire remains undetermined, however, at this time we are treating the fire as suspicious"
Vernon North RCMP are asking anyone who "witnessed any suspicious activity prior to the fire or has information that may assist the investigation, to please contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at (250) 545-7171."
Original Story from January 14th:
Coldstream BC, January 14, 2022: The Lavington fire hall was joined by the Coldstream fire hall, the RCMP, and BC Ambulance Service around 7 pm Friday evening to fight a huge structure fire on Hawthorne Place in the east end of Coldstream.
The residential building appears to be a total loss.
Approximately eight fire trucks and their crews were on scene fighting the blaze.
At least one person is displaced by the fire. No animals are known to have been lost.
Crews fought the fire well into the night.
No neighbouring buildings were damaged by the fire.
There are no reports of injuries at this time. The cause of the fire is still unknown. RCMP
are investigating.