The investigation into last month’s arson that left a Fernwood family home ravaged by flames continues, as Victoria Police call on public help in identifying two potential witnesses.
On April 20th, at around 1 a.m., VicPD were called to 1112 Caledonia Avenue, near Cook Street, as officers assisted local fire crews battling the structure fire.
Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, who lives in the 19th-century heritage house with his wife and three young daughters, is a pastor at the neighbouring Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas.
Vyshnevskyy said 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 blaze, but one person was sent to hospital for injuries now considered non-life-threatening, according to VicPD.
On April 22nd, police sought public help after releasing video footage of a light-coloured, possibly white, four-door vehicle driving past the scene moments before the house went up in flames.
Now, detectives with VicPD’s Major Crime Unit are looking to speak with two men who may have information relevant to their investigation, after they were captured on security camera in the surrounding area.
The first man, described as Caucasian, is approximately 50-years-old and standing at six feet tall with a medium build, clean shaven and with short dark brown hair.
According to police, he was in the Cook Street and Caledonia Avenue area just after 1 a.m. on the night of the fire.
At the time, he was wearing a brown jacket with black areas near the shoulders, a black sweater, dark blue jeans and dark-coloured lace-up shoes.
Meanwhile, the second man is described as Caucasian or Middle-Eastern, approximately 25-years-old and standing at six feet, two inches tall with a short beard and medium-length dark brown hair.
According to police, he was also in the Cook Street and Caledonia Avenue area just after 1 a.m., wearing a dark blue hooded coat, olive-brown pants and dark shoes with an army green backpack.
VicPD say neither of the two men are currently considered suspects, but ask the men or anyone who recognizes them to call (250) 995-7654.
