Local authorities are deeming a fire at Mike’s Auto on Saturday morning as suspicious.
A fire in a Quonset hut at 5:15 a.m. March 14 damaged the interior of the building along with various equipment. A truck inside the hut was also destroyed, and a rental vehicle in front of the building sustained damage.
No injuries were reported.
Oliver Fire Department spokesman Rob Graham said crews made quick work to knock down the fire and keep it contained to one building.
Mike’s Auto proprietor Mike Wadman told the Chronicle that the incident was very suspicious considering what had happened two days prior.
Two men were caught inside the compound and told a witness that they were buying something.
When company employees confronted them, they rammed the gate with their truck and sped off toward Willowbrook. An employee followed the vehicle to the fire hall where it was abandoned and the suspects fled on foot.
Police dogs subsequently located them and they were arrested and charged with break and enter, breach of probation, prohibited driving and hit and run.
The accused were identified as Marcus Sheena from Oliver and Clayton Bone from Penticton.
Wadman said the suspects’ truck was brought back to his shop and stored in the Quonset hut for investigation purposes.
It is suspected that someone related to the incident (possibly the owner of the truck) was responsible for setting the fire.
Wadman said he was made aware of the fire after his motion sensor alarm went off. He is now hoping that a fire investigation will be conducted.
Graham said an investigation will be carried out by a fire official.
“The fire at this time is suspicious due to the time of the call.”
The Chronicle is awaiting further information from the RCMP.
