AVONDALE, N.L. — Holyrood RCMP say a fire in the main building of Eastbound Park early Sunday evening was deliberately set.
Avondale fire chief Chad Costello said his crew received multiple calls at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday indicating smoke was coming from the tower building on the Avondale Access Road. The site features the Eastbound International Speedway racetrack and also host concerts in the summer.
Because water access was an issue in the area, Costello said, the Harbour Main-Chapels Cove-Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department was called to provide mutual aid by shuttling water.
"We did gain access to the building fairly quick and were able to knock down the fire," Costello told The Telegram.
In a news release issued Monday afternoon, Holyrood RCMP confirmed it suspects the fire was an act of arson. Police at the scene Sunday found evidence of forced entry into the building, the RCMP said. Fire-scene investigators from Fire and Emergency Services and the RCMP were at Eastbound Park Monday.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Holyrood RCMP at 709-229-3892 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.nlcrimestoppers.com or by downloading the free and secure mobile app. Search the App Store for "P3 Tips." Electronic tips submitted to Crime Stoppers are encrypted, confidential and anonymous.