Port Moody Police declare barber-shop fire arson
The fire that destroyed Manny’s Barber Shop and damaged neighbouring businesses on St. Johns Street earlier this week is now being investigated as arson, Port Moody police confirmed Thursday.
Just after 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 3, firefighters and police rushed to a strip mall in the 2900 block of St. Johns Street, where flames had engulfed the popular family-run barber shop. Crews from Port Moody Fire Rescue managed to contain the blaze within two hours, preventing it from spreading beyond two units. No injuries were reported.
In a news release issued Sept. 4, police stated the Port Moody Police Major Crime Section has taken over the file after investigators determined the fire was deliberately set.
Local news that matters to you
No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable.
Const. Sam Zacharias, media officer with the department, stated the investigation is being complicated because the owner-operator of the barber shop is not cooperating with police.
“Obviously, it adds a level of complexity to the investigation when the person who’s the potential victim of a crime doesn’t want to speak with the police,” Zacharias said.
Police have collected video evidence as well as physical evidence, noting that some form of accelerant was used to spark the blaze, according to Zacharias, who added that police are working to identify potential suspects.
He said early indications are that the barber shop was specifically targeted in an isolated act, though investigators are not yet clear on a motivation.
“It wasn’t like someone tried to set fire to the entire complex,” he said.
Zacharias urged anyone who may have seen suspicious activity or who has dash-cam video from the area between 1:00 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. to come forward.
“Any potential witnesses or anyone with dash camera footage in the Saint Johns corridor between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. is asked to contact us,” Zacharias said.
Author
