Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025 

File: 22-14561 

Victoria, B.C. – Earlier today, Walter “Theo” Machinski was sentenced to three and a half years in jail after pleading guilty to one count of arson with disregard for human life after he deliberately set fire at the family home of the pastor attached to the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Church in the 1100-block of Caledonia Avenue. 

In the early morning of April 20, 2022, VicPD Patrol officers and Victoria Fire Department firefighters responded to a house fire in the 1100-block of Caledonia Avenue. Upon arrival, first responders found the front doorway area and upper level of the home engulfed in flames. The family of five narrowly escaped the blaze, with some forced to jump from second-story windows while others were rescued by firefighters. One occupant suffered potentially life-threatening injuries while escaping the fire and was transported to the hospital. The house sustained major damage and remains uninhabitable. 

      The house sustained extensive damage in the fire and remains uninhabitable to this day.

Led by VicPD’s Major Crime Unit, the investigation involved extensive CCTV canvassing between Victoria and Nanaimo, as well as a search along the Malahat. A public request for information generated a significant volume of leads that greatly assisted detectives. The investigation further involved numerous interviews, forensic analysis, and a thorough examination of evidence gathered from multiple locations. 

On April 5, 2023, VicPD detectives arrested Machinski. Investigators determined that this was a targeted offence, in which the accused was known to the family, but it was not motivated by hatred towards an identifiable group.   

“We are incredibly fortunate that this dangerous act did not result in more serious injuries or loss of life,” said Acting Deputy Chief Michael Brown. “The bravery of the family and the swift response of our officers and Victoria firefighters prevented a tragedy. I commend the dedication and skill of our detectives who meticulously followed the evidence to a successful conclusion. We are also grateful to the community for providing valuable information and support to the family.” 

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