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Courtenay Walmart closed after arson fire in infant clothing section
A Walmart Superstore in Courtenay has been closed indefinitely following an arson incident on October 16. An individual reportedly used a lighter to set infant clothing on fire before exiting the building.
Fire crews responded to the scene shortly after 7:15 p.m., finding the store filled with smoke. The activation of the overhead sprinkler system resulted in significant smoke and water damage, as well as product loss. Courtenay Fire Chief Kurt MacDonald noted that the circumstances are similar to a previous fire at the same location in October 2024.
During the investigation, the RCMP were notified of a similar incident at a nearby Dollarama on Cliffe Avenue, where items were also lit on fire. In that instance, staff and a shopper managed to extinguish the item before fire damage occurred. Authorities are currently searching for a person of interest in connection with these events.
Entities
Courtenay · Dollarama · Kurt MacDonald · RCMP · Walmart
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] The fire occurred under similar circumstances to a previous incident at the same store in October 2024. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · pqbnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The RCMP are searching for a person of interest related to the incidents. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · pqbnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] An individual lit infant clothing on fire at a Walmart Superstore in Courtenay. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · pqbnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Courtenay Walmart Superstore is closed indefinitely following the fire. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · pqbnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The store's sprinkler system activated during the fire, causing smoke and water damage. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · pqbnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] A similar incident involving items being lit on fire occurred at a Dollarama on Cliffe Avenue. chemainusvalleycourier.ca · comoxvalleyrecord.com · pqbnews.com · sookenewsmirror.com