Fire at Lower Mainland hospital with multiple COVID-19 outbreaks believed to be arson: RCMP

Burnaby Hospital fire ruled arson Police think arson was behind the fire at Burnaby Hospital that caused significant damage and displaced patients during a COVID-19 outbreak

Vancouver — More than a month after a fire broke out at a Lower Mainland hospital, Mounties now say they believe the blaze was set intentionally.

In a news release Tuesday, RCMP said the Nov. 15 fire at Burnaby Hospital was a "deliberate act of arson."

The fire led to some people being forced to leave the building, and the emergency department couldn't admit patients for a period of time. Some patients were diverted to other hospitals while medical appointments and some surgeries had to be rescheduled.

That same hospital has been dealing with multiple COVID-19 outbreaks. The first outbreak was declared on Nov. 9 after evidence of transmission was found in a medicine unit. That outbreak eventually led to 62 patients and 50 staff members becoming infected and a dozen people died.

Health officials said the evacuations because of the fire may have contributed to the spread of the disease.

"Patients had to be moved out of their rooms and moved into common areas and had to be put in places that they normally wouldn’t be which meant our rigorous infection control precautions were loosened for the period of time that that evacuation was taking place,” Dr. Elizabeth Brodkin, chief medical health officer and vice-president of population health for Fraser Health, said late last month.

"We believe that is one of the reasons the virus was allowed to spread so widely through the hospital."

While it was declared over on Dec. 11, a second outbreak was declared this Tuesday.

Police looking to speak to witnesses

Now, Burnaby Mounties are asking all staff who were working at the hospital on Nov. 15 to come forward if they saw anything suspicious or unusual. Members of the public with relevant details are also asked to come forward.

Police have also released a photo of someone they'd like to speak to, but say this person is not a suspect. In the image, the individual appears to be wearing a red and black plaid shirt, a black toque and dark paints. They're also wearing a white face mask.

Anyone who recognizes the person in that photo is asked to contact Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9522 and to leave their full name and contact information.

"You might think your observation is minor or unimportant, but it might be the piece of information that our investigators needs," said Cpl Mike Kalanj in a news release. "We are asking for your help."