Date: Friday, June 24, 2022

Files: 22-23538, 22-23546, 22-23550

Victoria, BC – Patrol officers responded to multiple overnight fires, two of which are confirmed arsons.

Balmoral Road Fire | 22-23538

Just after 2 a.m. Patrol officers were notified that Victoria Fire Department firefighters were responding to a small fire in the 1000-block of Balmoral Road, near the intersection with Cook Street. The first officer arrived and noted the fire in a hedge. Victoria Fire Department firefighters extinguished the fire without injury or significant damage. The cause of this fire is under investigation.

 

Fire at Broad and View streets | 22-23546

Patrol officers were called to the intersection of Broad and View streets at approximately 3:40 a.m. for a report of an active fire. When officers arrived they observed two separate fires, one of which was against the exterior door of the Bay Centre building. Officers retrieved fire extinguishers from their Patrol vehicles and, after some effort, doused the flames. Victoria Fire Department firefighters responded and took over firefighting efforts. Damage to the exterior doors is being assessed. This fire was determined to be arson. Officers arrested a suspect a short time later. They’ve been held for court.

 

Garbage Can Fire 500-block of Yates Street| 22-23550

A short time later, at approximately 3:55 a.m. Patrol officers were called to an alley way in the 500-block of Yates Street for a report of a fire. When officers arrived, they located an area resident working to put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. Victoria Fire Department firefighters also responded to this blaze and were able to extinguish the fire.

No one has been physically injured in this fires.

Each of these fires are under investigation. Investigators are working to determine if these fires are related to each other, or are related to recent arsons. Investigators are asking anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from these areas between 1:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. to save their footage and call the VicPD Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 ext 1.

 

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