The Whistler Fire Department and Whistler RCMP are treating a blaze that caused extensive damage at Lordco Auto Parts in Function Junction early Tuesday morning (May 15) as "suspicious."
The fire was discovered at approximately 1:30 a.m. by two separate individuals in the area, a nearby resident who noticed an orange glow and an office worker in the building who heard something suspicious.
Four fire trucks and 28 fire fighters responded to the call, and battled the flames for more than four hours.
The fire broke out in the rear of the building in a storage shed that contained a number of tires and the main propane gas line for the building, which the fire ruptured. This contributed to the intensity of the fire, which quickly spread into the walls.
Centra Gas responded to the call, digging up and crimping the main gas line at the front of the building. Ambulances, the RCMP and B.C. Hydro workers also attended the scene, although no one was injured.
A sprinkler system aided the firefighters and a head in the attic space allowed the firefighters to access the area and stop the fire from spreading through the attic and into the other office space in the building.
There is no word on the cost of the damage, but Lordco manager Thor Lynum said there was extensive water damage to stock, and damage to the building. Insurance agents have already toured the site.
Lordco was open for business the following day, but in a limited capacity. "We are trying to be open for business, and to help customers as much as possible, we just ask that they are patient with us," says Lynum.
In regards to the fact that the police and fire department are investigating the blaze as a suspicious fire, Lynum says it was a shock to him. "Why would people want to do stuff like that his? It just seems pointless."
Anyone with information is being asked to call the RCMP at 932-3044.
