Targeted attack? Arson suspected in weekend fire at Calgary clinic and pharmacy

A Calgary clinic and pharmacy are closed today after an early-morning fire believed to have been started by an arsonist caused significant structural and smoke damage, shuttering other businesses as well in the same strip mall. “We arrived to find out that somebody drilled a hole in the back of the pharmacy door and pumped gasoline in and lit it up and caused an explosion,” Jay Doherty, owner of a restaurant located next to the clinic and pharmacy, told the Calgary Herald. Doherty said he learned the details of the arson attack on DAWA Medical Clinic & Pharmacy from security camera footage from his own business, as well as from fire investigators, who have deemed the fire suspicious. The fire was “definitely a targeted attack,” added Doherty, who said there had been multiple arson attempts in recent weeks on the walk-in and family clinic, which has an onsite pharmacy. Read: How well do we protect pharmacy workers from harassment, intimidation and violence? Purdeep Sharma, owner of a liquor store located in the same building, confirmed Doherty’s account of previous arson attempts and said he has also seen video of a man with a jerry can trying to break into the pharmacy last week. There have been other fires at the clinic and pharmacy since DAWA moved into the building about six months ago, he said. “There’s a few incidents that have happened next door, at the pharmacy–a couple of times people tried to do the same thing, but not successfully,” he said. “We’re glad nobody’s hurt, but it’s a big loss for the businesses.” Calgary police discovered the fire at 3:30am on Sunday while responding to an intruder alarm. “When fire crews arrived they were met with large volumes of dark smoke and fire in both the front and rear of a multi-unit 2 story commercial building,” said a Calgary fire department news release. “Damage from the fire is extensive in the business of origin, and crews continue to extinguish hot spots.” A nearby residential area was evacuated as a precautionary measure, noted the news release. The fire department is asking the public for help with its investigation and declined to give further details. A DAWA employee who answered a call while working from home said she didn't know when the clinic would re-open and confirmed that no one was injured in the fire. Read: 'It's really scary:' Alberta physicians face more aggressive, misinformed patients

Targeted attack? Arson suspected in weekend fire at Calgary clinic and pharmacy

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