Police seek suspects in north Kentville vehicle fires

By Kirk Starratt

The Advertiser/NovaNewsNow.com

There is apparently an arsonist at work in North Kentville. The Kentville Volunteer Fire Department and the Kings RCMP are investigating two separate car fires reported within 10 minutes of each other shortly after midnight, Tuesday, Aug. 21, in the north Kentville area.

The RCMP was called to investigate after firefighters had been called to the scene of a vehicle that had been set ablaze in a private driveway on Governor Court in north Kentville around 12:20 a.m. The vehicle’s door was open and evidence suggests someone had deliberately set the fire inside a van. The van was burned to the frame.

Kentville Fire Chief Shawn Ripley said a couple of neighbouring duplexes were evacuated and the heat from the fire was intense enough to melt the siding on a nearby residence. There were a couple of explosions resulting from the fire.

About 10 minutes later, Kentville firefighters were called to nearby Stephen Court after receiving a call from the owner of a vehicle parked in a private driveway. Suspects had opened the unlocked vehicle and set fire to papers inside. There was some interior damage.

The New Minas department provided mutual aid in the form of stand-in assistance for Kentville during the emergency.

The RCMP is investigating and asks anyone with information to contact the New Minas office at 679-5555 or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Kentville responded to what turned out to be a false fire alarm on Highway 12 at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22.

Kentville firefighters responded to the scene of a grass fire by the hospital on Brooklyn Street Thursday, Aug. 23. Ripley said a witness saw the person responsible deliberately light the fire and walk away.

New Minas firefighters responded to a kitchen fire on Michael Street Aug. 21, and the Kentville department provided mutual aid in the form of stand-in assistance.

Wolfville firefighters rescued a man stuck in an elevator on Bigelow Street at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning, August 18.

As well, Wolfville firefighters responded to a smoke condition in Grand Pre on Sunday, Aug. 19. Chief Tim MacLeod said a washing machine was the cause.