RCMP investigating after police vehicle was set on fire

METEGHAN, N.S. — The Mounties say they will increase their presence in a southwestern Nova Scotia community where a patrol car was set on fire in a service station lot.

Investigators say officers responded to the blaze in Meteghan, after receiving a call around 1:45 a.m.

Upon arrival at the service station, officers say they found that the police car had been destroyed and two other non-police vehicles that were parked nearby were damaged by the fire.

A news release says the RCMP thinks the fire was set intentionally and that it is linked to other recent investigations in the area.

Sgt. Jeff Leblanc, the detachment commander, says that in response there will be an “amplified police presence” in the community over the next weeks and months.

Local firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to other vehicles, buildings, and nearby gas pumps, and there were no injuries reported.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 18, 2024.