One person is dead after a car was found on fire in the parking lot of a rec centre in Coquitlam, B.C., Sunday morning, local Mounties confirmed.
Police were called to the parking lot of the City Centre Aquatic Complex on 1210 Pinetree Way at 11:35 a.m. for reports of a vehicle fire, Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Alexa Hodgins told CTV News.
A body was found inside the vehicle.
“This is a deeply tragic incident,” she said in a news release later Sunday afternoon. “We want to assure the public that there is no risk to the public as this is believed to be an isolated event and is not linked to any ongoing conflicts.”
Coquitlam Fire Rescue Services confirmed it responded and extinguished the fire.
“Once our crews arrived, they determined it could possibly be a crime scene. It was handed over to the RCMP,” Asst. Chief Sandro Bonifazi told CTV News.
The aquatic centre is currently closed for maintenance until early October.
Mounties ask anyone who witnessed the fire or has information to call the detachment at 604-945-1550 and reference file number 2024-24487.
Investigation Underway
The Coquitlam RCMP is investigating the fatal incident, which occurred on Sunday, Sept. 15 at approximately 11:35 a.m. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the City Centre Aquatic Complex on Pinetree Way. According to police, a body was found inside the vehicle after fire crews responded to the scene and extinguished the blaze.
No Threat to Public Safety
The Coquitlam RCMP confirmed that the incident is being investigated as an isolated event and posed no threat to the public. Police have yet to release any further details regarding the incident, including the identity of the deceased. Authorities are calling the incident “deeply tragic” and urging anyone with information to contact the Coquitlam RCMP detachment at 604-945-1550, citing file number 2024-24487. The Aquatic Complex is currently closed for maintenance and will reopen in early October.
Ongoing Investigation
The Coquitlam RCMP continues to investigate the cause of the fire and the circumstances leading to the death. This incident underscores the importance of fire safety and the need for vigilance when operating vehicles. Authorities are urging the public to be cautious around any unattended fires or vehicles, and to report any suspicious activity to the police immediately.
