RCMP release video of suspect 1 year after fire deliberately set at Burnaby Hospital

RCMP in Burnaby, B.C., havereleased surveillance video of a man wanted in connection with afire that was deliberately settoa wing ofBurnaby Hospital exactly one year ago Monday, in the hopethe public can help them identify the suspect.

Cpl. Michael Kalanj addressed the media Monday morning, saying the police have taken thestep of releasing thevideo to generate tips from the public.

"Today marks one year since a significant fire was intentionally set at Burnaby Hospital, causing millions of dollars of damage and putting added and unneeded strain on our health-care system," he said.

The firebroke out in the mental health services wingofBurnaby Hospital on the eveningof Nov.15, 2020.

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RCMP release video in Burnaby Hospital arson

3 years ago

Duration 0:37

RCMP have released surveillance video in connection with a fire one year ago at Burnaby hospital they say was deliberately set.

It caused extensive smoke and water damage, led to the closure of the emergency room and forced patients and staff to evacuate the building, whichFraser Healthsaid contributed to a COVID-19 outbreak on Nov. 24, wherefive people died.

In December, RCMPhad released a still image of someone they called a person of interest, the same man RCMPnow are seeking to identify withthe video they've just released.

"[The fire]has had a significant and continuing impact on hospital operations," said RCMP investigator Cpl. Andrew Coupe.

The investigation includeda seven day examination of the fire scene, interviews with numerous witnesses, forensic analysis, a door-to-door canvass of the neighborhood and a review of over 1,500 hours of video surveillance from the hospital and surrounding area, according to Coupe.

"We have followed every lead available to us, and now we are appealing to the public for their assistance," he said.

Anyone with information, or who might be able to identify the person in the videos is asked to call the Burnaby RCMP'sspecial phone tip line at604-646-9522, or email bghfire@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.