Police and fire departments in both Victoria and Saanich are investigating a series of suspicious fires that broke out on the night of October 31st.
A total of six fires – three in each municipality – were started intentionally on Halloween night, prompting a coordinated investigation led by the Victoria and Saanich Police departments.
The first incident in Victoria was a camper that was found ablaze in the 3000-block of Alder St. It was followed up shortly after by another fire in the same area, which fully destroyed a detached garage and the car inside it.
The final blaze caused damage to a wooden fence and a vehicle in the 3100-block of Fifth St at around 1:30 a.m.
The total damage in Victoria is said to have cost upwards of $100,000. Luckily, there were no injuries reported as a result of the flames.
We’re investigating three suspicious fires that occurred last night. We attended 2 fires in the 3100-block of Alder Street and 1 in the 3100-block of Fifth Avenue. Detectives are working with the @VictoriaFire730 Anybody with information pls contact us at 250-995-7654. #yyj
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) November 2, 2018
Meanwhile in Saanich
On the same night, a fire damaged a portion of plastic lattice fence in the 200-block of Burnside Rd W at around 8 p.m.
According to Saanich Fire Department Assistant Chief Rich Pala, the blaze was small enough for a passerby to pat it out with her hand, and she burned her fingertips from the melted plastic in the process.
Around half an hour later, in the 300-block of Burnside Rd E, the plastic grill of a work van was set on fire, which then spread under the hood and caused about $5,000 of damage.
The last incident took place at 11:20 p.m. Two rolls of scrap carpet were set ablaze under a parked moving van in the 1500-block of Cedar Hill X Rd.
The van did not sustain any damage, and Saanich police officers were able to use a portable extinguisher to put out the fire.
“It’s not uncommon to find little fires like that on Halloween,” said Saanich Police Sgt Jereme Leslie, as most of the flames caused little damage and practically no injuries.
The department is currently liaising with Victoria Police to determine whether there is any connection between the six incidents.
