Mounties on Vancouver Island are appealing for witnesses after two “very large trees” were reportedly set on fire in a public park. Firefighters in Nanaimo were called to Bowen Park on Sunday morning and made quick work of putting out the blaze, according to the Nanaimo RCMP. “Police attended and observed two trees that had been significantly damaged by the fire and detected a strong chemical odour in the area,” a statement from the detachment said. Investigators have not been able to speak with any witnesses or locate any surveillance video and have not identified any suspects. Had the fire not been contained, authorities said it could have caused “significant damage.” Anyone with information that could assist police, including those who were in the park between 9 and 10 a.m., is urged to call 250-754-2345.
