BURST
Police in West Vancouver are acknowledging potential alarm in the local Jewish community after a vehicle fire early Sunday morning because of where it happened: In the parking lot of a synagogue.
The report of the fire came in shortly before 6:30 a.m. outside the Har El Synagogue on Taylor Way.
West Vancouver Fire & Rescue put out the blaze and there were no injuries and no damage to the synagogue itself.
The parking lot is blocked off as police investigate the cause.
“While we are in the earliest stage of the investigation and have yet to determine why this vehicle fire occurred at this location, we understand the concern this incident is likely to cause for this congregation and for the community at large,” said Sgt. Chris Bigland in a news release.
“We want to assure the community that the West Vancouver police take incidents of this nature very seriously and are working to determine the cause as quickly as possible.”
Bigland said the fire was quickly contained “and we can confidently say that the situation is stable and the community is safe.
“While we will not speculate ahead of the evidence, our investigators will remain on scene until we are satisfied as to the true nature of this event. Our investigation will conclusively determine what has occurred and will provide answers to the Har El congregation and the broader community as soon as possible.”
Anyone with information, including dashcam footage, is asked to call the West Vancouver Police Department at 604-925-7300.