A large heap of burned-out rubble is all that remains of a 91原创 Bypass auto dealership.
Last Wednesday, at around 2:45 a.m., a stolen Super Save Hydro Vac truck plowed through the gate of the Vancouver Auto Liquidation Centre, driving straight into the front of the building.
The blaze caused the roof to collapse, which shifted the support beams in the building, said 91原创 City fire chief Rory Thompson.
Structural engineers were out the day of the fire, June 28, and deemed the building unsafe to enter and unsafe to stay standing, said Thompson.
91原创 RCMP had their Forensic Unit at the scene last Thursday before the building was torn down.
No arrests have been made yet. Police said they are working to identify a suspect or suspects in the unusual crime. They are canvassing the area for video surveillance, said Cpl. Holly Largy.
There was a person seen fleeing the scene that morning. But that person wasn鈥檛 found, said police.
Police are asking for any tips on this crime.
At around the same time overnight, there was a , where a pick up truck slammed into a building in the 18500 block of 53 Avenue, setting it on fire.
No one was in the burned vehicle when emergency responders arrived. The pick up truck is believed to also be stolen.
Police aren鈥檛 saying whether the two fires are connected but they do believe the same person owns both businesses that were targeted.
It鈥檚 unknown whether an accelerant was used in either fire or what the motivation may be.
If you have information about these crimes and haven鈥檛 spoken to police call 91原创 RCMP at 604-532-3200. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
