Island RCMP investigating 2 arson cases in western P.E.I.

Island RCMPare investigating two suspected cases of arson in two West Prince communities.

Police say anabandoned home in Mount Royal, P.E.I.,and a vacant cottage 10 kilometres away inDerby, P.E.I., were bothdestroyed by fire earlySundaymorning. Emergency officials responded to both incidents around 2 a.m.

Both properties were burned beyond recognition.

The RCMP say they suspect the fires were the work of arsonists. The investigations areongoing.

Fire index extreme

The Forest Fire Weather Index is currently extreme in western P.E.I., and police say there areworried that if another fire is set in this area or anywhere else on the Island, the destruction could be much worse.

"There has been a history of fires being set in abandoned buildings up in western P.E.I.," saidSgt. Darrell Gill withPrince District RCMP."We see a lot of that during Halloween, so it's not uncommon up there for sure."

Prince District RCMP are asking anyone with information that might help them catch whoever is responsible for the firesto call them or P.E.I. Crime Stoppers.

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