Cape Breton police release photos of suspect in Mira Boat Club fire investigation

Cape Breton Regional Police have released photos related to the fire set at the Mira Boat Club and Seniors Community Centre on Oct. 9.

In an release emailed Wednesday, police said they are asking the public for help identifying a person and a vehicle in relating to the suspicious fire. The vehicle is described as a four-door car and is believed to be grey in colour.

As reported by the Cape Breton Post, fire services received the call about a fire at the non-profit at 1:38 a.m. on Friday. The fire appeared to have started on the outside of the building.

In one of the photos released by Cape Breton Regional Police, which came from the security cameras on the Mira Boat Club, a person is seen carrying a gas can to the area of the building where the fire started.

Police said they responded to the scene around 1:45 a.m. on Oct. 9 due to an alarm and fire services were already on scene working to put out the structure fire.

Officers cleared the property and surrounding area, then spoke with an employee who had also gone to the scene after the alarm went off.

The Cape Breton Regional Police Forensic Identification Unit assisted the Nova Scotia Fire Marshal with processing the scene and the fire was deemed suspicious. It has been turned over to the regional police arson investigator.

Police said they have conducted a neighbourhood canvass, collected statements and evidence at the scene.

They are asking anyone who may have information to help identify the person captured in the security camera footage or the car to contact them. As well, anyone in the neighbourhood who may have heard anything suspicious between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Oct. 9 are asked to contact police.

Cape Breton Regional Police can be reached through the non-emergency line at 902-563-5151. Information can be given anonymously through Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.