The investigation into a devastating arson that left a Fernwood family home ravaged by flames continues, with Victoria Police still seeking potential witnesses.
On April 20th, at around 1 a.m., VicPD were called to Caledonia Avenue, near Cook Street, as officers assisted local fire crews battling a 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.
And while most of the family had escaped the blaze by the time emergency crews arrived, one person was sent to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, VicPD said.
Days later, police sought public help after releasing video footage of a light-coloured, possibly white, four-door vehicle driving past the house moments before it went up in flames.
Then, on May 2nd, detectives with VicPD’s Major Crime Unit sought to speak with two men who may have information relevant to their investigation, after being captured on security camera in the surrounding area.
In a Thursday, May 12th update, VicPD Const. Cam MacIntyre says police have had no luck in identifying either the men or the potential witness vehicle.
“We’re still hoping that someone in our community will share that information with us and help us with this investigation,” MacIntyre told Victoria Buzz.
The first man, described as Caucasian, is approximately 50-years-old and standing at six feet tall with a medium build and short dark brown hair.
On camera, he’s seen 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 6’2″ with a short beard and medium-length dark brown hair.
The footage shows him wearing a dark blue hooded coat, olive-brown pants and dark shoes with an army green backpack.
According to police, both men were in the Cook Street and Caledonia Avenue area at around 1 a.m. the night of the fire.
VicPD say neither of the two are currently considered suspects, but ask them or anyone who recognizes them to call (250) 995-7654.
