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Vandalism and fires at Fraser River Heritage Park

Old maple tree in park set on fire Monday afternoon

Fraser River Heritage Park has been under attack by vandals over the past three days.

Park caretaker, Shelley Clarkson, reported four trees by the D’Herbomez Creek Bridge were damaged early Saturday morning. The garbage bin near the cemetery on the south side of the park was set on fire Monday afternoon around 4:30 pm, and an hour later, a large maple tree just off a trail at the east end of the park was also in flames.

Clarkson was able to grab a couple of buckets of water and put out the fire in the garbage bin, but she wasted no time in calling the fire department when she was notified of the tree burning.

“A neighbour called me and asked if I saw smoke,” she recalled.

Clarkson, who lives close to the entrance of the park, was immediately concerned when she looked out her window and called for help.

“I didn’t want to take any chances,” she said.

The fire department was on scene within minutes, and Clarkson believes the quick response saved the tree, which she estimated to be close to 100 years old.