Two separate fires were set in different stores in a Coquitlam strip mall Thursday afternoon, Coquitlam Fire tells CityNews.
Crews were first called out to a fire at Winners at the Westwood Mall on Lougheed Highway near Westwood Street just before 2 p.m., where some clothing was set on fire.
There was a “considerable amount of smoke,” Chief Scott Young says, and the store was evacuated.
“As far as I know, to this point, people haven’t made re-entry,” he said. The smoke has been cleared but they’re just assuring that the air quality is good.”
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation, Young says.
Shortly after this fire, crews were called to Superstore in the same strip mall where Young says a display of toilet paper was set ablaze.
“The fire seemed to be limited to to the toilet paper display,” he said. “I don’t think that there was any damage beyond the products, other than probably some smoke damage.”
Young says he believes someone has been taken into custody, but was unable to confirm this.
CityNews has reached out to Coquitlam RCMP for further information.