Where there’s smoke, there’s apparently knife attacks.

New Westminster patrol officers were investigating a tip about black smoke billowing from the direction of Front Street around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, and when they arrived at the location of the fire at Front Street and 6th Street, a man approached them for help. He said he’d been assaulted, and police discerned that he’d been stabbed with an edged weapon.

NWPD provided aid to the man, who was subsequently taken to hospital by paramedics. Police later identified and arrested 35 year-old Robert Spence of New Westminster in connection to the stabbing, and he remains in custody.

The investigation is looking into whether the fire and stabbing are connected.

“Our officers provided first aid to the victim, secured the area for fire crew

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