Two Lac La Biche fires investigated as suspicious

Lac La Biche RCMP and fire officials are treating two recent structure fires in the Lac La Biche hamlet as suspicious.

Fire crews were called to an early morning blaze at a home on 105 Street on August 24. 

A 32-year-old woman was at home alone when the fire broke out at about 2 am, say police. 

"(She) reports hearing two people talking outside," before the fire began, says Lac La Biche RCMP Corp. Roxanne Genereaux, explaining that the fire has been classified as suspicious. 

Quick response from firefighters kept the flames from spreading to a neighbouring home but the flames destroyed most of the one-storey bungalo, completely gutting the home's roof. Despite the damage, the occupant of the house was not injured.

Burned and boarded.  Wooden boards cover the front of a downtown Lac La Biche building that fire officials say was the scene of a suspicious fire  last week.  Rob McKinley

The second fire was three days later at a one-time downtown business on 101 Street just south of Main Street. While the building does include a residential suite, police and fire officials say no one was injured in the late night fire call.

Again a quick response from the fire department kept the flames from spreading to attached buildings. And again, police and fire officials say the cause of the fire is being investigated.

"Members are asking anyone with any knowledge or who may have witnessed this information to come forward by either attending or calling the detachment or calling Crime Stoppers," said Genereaux.