Police investigating suspected arson at Jewish summer camp
The MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais police are investigating what they say is a case of suspected arson that burned two buildings overnight at a Jewish summer camp in Quyon, Que.
Firefighters were called to Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa when flames were coming from a warehouse around 4:30 a.m. Sunday.
As firefighters were battling the flames, a second fire broke out at a nearby building. That fire was quickly brought under control and the building only suffered minor damage, while the warehouse was destroyed, according to police.
Police said they began investigating the fires after certain elements were deemed to be "suspicious."
The fire damage is estimated by police at nearly $600,000.
Police said no current evidence suggests the event was antisemitic or racially motivated but added it is still too soon to rule out the possibility.
According to its website, Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa's mission is to give children between the ages of seven and 16 the chance to "experience the outdoors, learn new skills and develop life-long friendships while enhancing Jewish values, traditions, affiliation and community."
No injuries reported
While the campsite is maintained daily, it doesn't conduct winter programming and no staff were there when the fires broke out, said Adam Tanner, chairman of the camp's board of directors.
Tanner told Radio-Canada he hadn't heard any reports of any injuries.
"Anytime there's potential damage or whatever the case may be ... you always worry about the community you reside or operate in," said Tanner, who rushed down after hearing about the fires Sunday morning.
"We just want to provide a safe and healthy camping experience for children."
In a Facebook post, Camp B'nai Brith of Ottawa said there was "no increased security threat at this time" and that the fires will not hamper this summer's camping season.
News of the fires at the long-running camp roughly 50 kilometres northwest of Ottawa has left people in the area saddened, said Pontiac MNA André Fortin.
"It's something that, for people in our community, has been there for decades and decades, and something that we know brings economic development to the region," Fortin said Sunday.
"But really, it's a place that [puts] smiles on kids' faces. "
