On November 6th, 2020, at approximately 9 p.m., Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of a fire in the 7200-block of Gilley Avenue.
Upon attendance Frontline officers located a parade float in the parking lot of the Sri Ravi Gurudass Sabha Sikh Temple was on fire. There were no injuries reported as a result of the fire, however, there was some damage to the exterior of the building and smoke damage to one of the rooms.
At this early point in the investigation, arson investigators have not discovered anything that would indicate this incident was racially motivated.
We are asking for anyone that may have witnessed this incident or has a dash cam and was driving in the area of Beresford Street and Gilley Avenue on the evening of Friday November 6th between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to please contact us.
"Luckily Burnaby Fire Department was quick to respond and there were no injuries as a result of this incident says Corporal Mike Kalanj of the Burnaby RCMP".
However, the risk of injury in this type of situation is high and we’re asking anyone with information that can help police in this investigation to please come forward.
If you witnessed this incident or have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact the Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999 or if you wish to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.solvecrime.ca
Photo courtesy of Jesse Donaldson.