String of suspicious fires in Cap-Pel has community on edge

A rash of suspicious fires in Cap-Pelhas the small seaside community on edge.

The latest target was the Bel Air takeout restaurant, which was destroyed by an early morning fire last Wednesday.

RCMP have declared the fire arson and are investigating.

"Oh, I said, not again, that's not possible," said Cap-Pel resident Clara LeBlanc.

"It's unnerving to think they haven't found who's responsible. I hope they find them soon."

Debris and rubble are all that's left of the popular seafood takeout, whichwas supposed to reopen after Christmas. It was closed for renovations because of two other suspicious fires in the spring that had forced the owners to skip the busy summer season.

But it's not just the local restaurant that's been at the centre of these suspicious fires.

It's been a disturbing few months for the village of about 2,500 people.

A blaze ravaged the Manoir de la Butte nursing home in November, which had been closed down a few months prior.

And in September, it was an ice cream shop that was the target of flames.

Residents on edge

Now residents are left wonderingwhat the next target could be.

The buildings were all vacant at the times of the fires, and no one has been hurt.

Though Marie-Paul Godbout takes some comfort in that, she saideveryone is on edge.

"It's not pleasant for anyone," said Godbout.

2019 didn't start wellfor the community, either.

• Fire destroys restaurant in Cap-Pel

A fire destroyed Cape Bald Packers early in the year. The lobster processing plant was the community's main employer, andthe company moved 500 workers to its other factory an hour away.

"It hurts for sure," said resident Camilla Brine.

"It's sad it's shady."

Shediac RCMP say they've received severalvideos showing a person walking toward the Bel Air restaurant with a container, moments before flames erupted.

"We're working diligently on this investigation to determine who is responsible," said Sgt. Alice Desroches.

"Based on what we have, we do not believe this was a random act."

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them.