RCMP say early observation indicates purposeful arson is likely to blame for an early morning fire at the BC Provincial Courthouse in Golden.
“The area will remain cordoned off while fire crews continue efforts to contain the fire and investigators examine the scene,” Cpl. James Grandy wrote in a statement released by the BC RCMP Communication Services.
According to the statement, Golden RCMP received multiple alarms from the courthouse on Monday March 13 at 3:25 a.m. Officers responded and on arrival observed the building on fire.
Firefighters arrived on scene shortly after and members of the Golden Fire Department battled the fire for several hours. A firefighter was injured while attempting to fight the fire and was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A post on the Town of Golden’s Instagram page said the Nicholson Fire Department also responded. “The building is still on fire and is being contained and sprayed down by the ladder truck and another fire truck. Crews will remain on scene extinguishing the fire and hotspots,” the post, which was published around 9 a.m. PST, stated.
RCMP say more information may be released at a later time, once investigators are able to safely enter the building.
Anyone with information about the fire is being encouraged to contact the Golden RCMP Detachment at 250-344-2221.