VicPD are seeking the public’s help in identifying the owner of a vehicle that was spotted driving past a home in Victoria moments before it was set on fire.
Shortly after 1 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20th, VicPD officers responded to a fire at an occupied family residence in the 1100-block of Caledonia Avenue.
When emergency crews arrived on scene, most of the family had escaped the flames, police say. However, one person required ladder rescue by firefighters from a window ledge on the second floor.
Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, who lives in the house with his wife and three young daughters, is a pastor at the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas, located next door.
Vyshnevskyy told CTV News that his wife awoke moments before the fire erupted to find gasoline poured through the mail slot next to their front door.
When emergency crews arrived on scene, most of the family had escaped the flames, police say. However, one person required ladder rescue by firefighters from a window ledge on the second floor.
As a result of the fire, the occupant suffered potentially life-threatening injuries.
VicPD officers provided first aid and that person was transported to hospital. Their injuries are now considered non-life-threatening.
Detectives with VicPD’s Major Crimes Unit are now investigating this incident as arson and are asking the public for assistance in the case.
See more: Wednesday morning blaze at Victoria heritage home deemed arson
Video footage nearby the home caught a light-coloured, possible white, four-door vehicle driving past the scene moments before the fire was set.
The vehicle is shown once at full speed and then a second time at half-speed for ease of identification of the vehicle.
Investigators are seeking to identify and speak with the occupant of the vehicle.
In addition, investigators are asking any other witnesses with dashcam or video footage within a two-block radius of Cook Street and Caledonia Avenue area between midnight and 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20th to come forward.
If you have information about this incident, call VicPD at (250) 995-7654.
To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
