Police in Abbotsford are looking into whether neo-Nazis are to blame for an arson that was ignited remotely at a home on Old Yale Road early yesterday morning.
No one was injured in the fire, which was quickly extinguished by the residents and a neighbour, said Const. Ian MacDonald.
“One of the occupants of the home feels that his social and political views may have been one of the motives (for the attack),” MacDonald said.
“It’s not uncommon for us to canvass victims to find out if there’s a viable suspect of theory.
(Racism) is not the only theory, but it’s incumbent on us to investigate.”
According to news reports, Maitland Cassia — a member of Anti-Racist Action — lives in the home.
Cassia and the group attended a rally at Braid SkyTrain Station on March 21 to counter a proposed white supremacist march, which never materialized.
MacDonald said it’s possible a neighbour saw the suspect in the Yale Road arson because it would have taken “some time” to set up the crime.
He added that the amount of accelerant and type of device used was capable of doing serious damage.
“The detonation didn’t realize its full potential (which) could have created a far greater blast and fire,” MacDonald said.
“The fire damage was ultimately limited to a basement doorway area … They did a version of the old bucket brigade and managed to (put the fire out).”
MacDonald said the victims have elected, “wisely,” to find an alternate place to stay in the short term.
