VANCOUVER — Investigators from the Clark County Major Crimes Unit are investigating a possible homicide after discovering a body inside the burned-out remains of a Vancouver convenience store on Sun., Jan. 16.
Fire crews from the Vancouver Fire Department (VFD) responded to the three-alarm commercial fire around 5:30 a.m. Sunday morning and reported seeing “a large volume of fire coming from the structure.” A total of 36 fire personnel from VFD and Clark County Fire District 3 fought the fire for more than an hour, but the building at 13412 N.E. Fourth Plain Road — the site of the Oasis Mart convenience store — was a total loss.
When investigators with the Clark County Fire Marshall’s Office and the Clark County Major Crimes Unit came to investigate the cause of the fire later in the day on Sun., Jan. 15, they discovered the body. According to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the body was found “within the rubble” of the burned-out convenience store.
Police have not yet identified the victim, but detectives from the Clark County Major Crimes Unit are now investigating this case as a possible homicide. Police are asking anyone with information about the fire or possible homicide to contact the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Team.
Update: Police reported Monday afternoon, Jan. 16, that they are working with the Medical Examiner’s Officer to confirm the victim’s identity and contact family members.
