In the early hours of Friday, Aug. 9, the Oak Bay Police Department were dispatched to a report of a fire at a business on Oak Bay Avenue.
At around 1 a.m., police arrived to the scene and were informed by two staff members that they had been inside the business after closing time and heard someone near the front door. They went to investigate and saw flames outside the door and quickly put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.
Officers reviewed CCTV footage from the outside entrance of the business which showed what appears to be a white male wearing a dark coloured balaclava, denim jacket, camo-patterned pants, red running shoes and camo-styled backpack pouring a liquid over the front steps and front door mat of the business and lighting the liquid on fire. The suspect then left the scene on foot
"Fortunately, there was no damage to the building, and no one was injured," noted a news release from the police department. "This incident could have resulted in a catastrophic outcome had it not been for the quick actions of the employees within the business."
Police are asking anyone who has information about the incident or who may be able to assist police in identifying the suspect is asked to contact Oak Bay police at 250-592-2424, or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
