Fires being set in Stanley Park, police warn

Vancouver police are asking the public to be vigilant after four fires were deliberately set in Stanley Park in as many days.

Police say the first incident happened July 30 at approximately 6 a.m. PT. The fire department responded to a fire burning under the bleachers at the Brockton Oval running track. The bleachers sustained considerable damage.

Police say the other three incidents all happened on Aug. 1. At 11 p.m. PT, the fire department was alerted to a tree burning along a trail in the area of Pipeline Road and Stanley Park Drive.

Just 20 minutes later, two more fires were spotted about 60 metres apart on the east side of Beaver Lake. A sign and a tree stump were damaged.

Witnesses reported seeing a man riding a bicycle in the area near where the fires were set.

Investigators with the Vancouver Police Department's arson squad say they believe the four fires are linked. They're asking the public to report any suspicious people or circumstances in the park.

Police say they are concerned because the fire hazard is extreme due to the continued hot weather.

Anyone with information is asked to call the VPD arson squad at 604-717-2541 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.