VPD investigating after multiple fires "deliberately set" over Easter long weekend

Vancouver Police are investigating after a series of fires were “deliberately set” over the Easter weekend.

“VPD officers responded to six separate arsons over the long weekend in the Downtown Eastside and the downtown core,” said VPD Sgt. Steve Addison in a release. “Fortunately, there were no injuries, and only minor property damage occurred.”

Still, he added, “these fires could have caused a lot of harm had they not been doused quickly.”

According to police, four fires occurred on April 1 in the Downtown Eastside after someone set fire to garbage bins. Another fire occurred that same night in Gastown after someone “set fire to various items on the street.”

Additional fires were set on April 4 near the Plaza of Nations and on April 5 in a concrete stairwell at the Vancouver Law Courts.

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Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the fires, and investigators are working to determine whether the incidents are linked.

Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Major Crime Section at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.