2 grass fires deliberately set: Nanaimo RCMP

Mounties say they are investigating separate grass fires that appear to have been deliberately set in Nanaimo, B.C.

Police say the first fire was set Aug. 2 and the second Aug. 7, both in the same grass field.

In the first instance, police say a witness saw the small fire and tried but failed to stop a man who was running away.

In the most recent incident, a man aged 18 to 22 was seen crouching in the field and seconds later a fire started.

Fire crews responded within minutes to both fires and they were quickly doused with little damage, despite the very dry conditions in the area.

Const. Gary O'Brien says if not for alert witnesses and the quick response of fire crews the dry fuel could have easily spread to nearby homes.