(UPDATE: March 13 @ 11:55 am) - The RCMP has begun an investigation into an overnight fire at the provincial courthouse in Golden that the police agency calls suspicious.
"Early observations point to it as being a purposeful arson," police said in a release issued late this morning. "The area will remain cordoned off while fire crews continue efforts to contain the fire, and investigators examine the scene."
The RCMP added that further information may be released later today when investigators are able to enter the building safely.
Firefighters responded to the blaze around 3:30 am and continue to work at the scene as of noon.
Police confirmed what Golden Fire-Rescue (GFR) said earlier this morning, which is that no one is believed to have been inside the building when the fire broke out.
A member of GFR was injured while fighting the fire and has been transported to hospital in Cranbrook, but no other injuries were reported.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to reach out to the Golden RCMP at 250-344-2221.
(Original story: March 13 @ 9:25 am) - The provincial courthouse in Golden went up in flames early this morning.
Golden Fire-Rescue (GFR) says it responded to the fire around 3:30 am with assistance from the Nicholson Fire Department.
“The building is still on fire and is being contained and sprayed down by the ladder truck and another tanker truck,” explained a statement from GFR shortly after 8 am.
“Crews will remain on scene extinguishing the fire and hot spots. Public works crews will also be in attendance to help manage the water run-off.”
GFR said no one was inside the building at the time of the fire and the cause of the blaze is not yet known.
One firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the response and was transported to hospital in Cranbrook.
NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.
