Police searching for arson suspect in Oak Bay, B.C.
![Oak Bay, B.C., arson suspect Surveillance video reviewed by police showed a white man wearing a dark balaclava pouring liquid over the front steps and door mat before lighting it on fire, the Oak Bay Police Department said in a news release Monday. (Oak Bay Police Department)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/8/12/oak-bay--b-c---arson-suspect-1-6997817-1723489158210.png)
Police near Victoria are asking for the public's help as they investigate an attempted arson outside a business in Oak Bay.
Investigators say the fire was lit on the doorstep of a business in the 2000 block of Oak Bay Avenue, around 1 a.m. Friday.
Two staff members inside the business told police they heard someone at the front door and then saw flames before they grabbed a fire extinguisher to douse the blaze.
Surveillance video reviewed by police showed a white man wearing a dark balaclava pouring liquid over the front steps and door mat before lighting it on fire, the Oak Bay Police Department said in a news release Monday.
The suspect was wearing a denim jacket, red running shoes, camouflage pants and was carrying a camouflage backpack, according to authorities.
The man fled the scene on foot before police arrived.
"Fortunately, there was no damage to the building, and no one was injured," the department said. "This incident could have resulted in a catastrophic outcome had it not been for the quick actions of the employees within the business."
Investigators released images of the suspect and are asking anyone who recognizes him to contact Oak Bay police at 250-592-2424 or Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6993663.1723166222!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
U.S. presidential historian predicts results of November elections. Here's who he says will win
An American presidential historian is predicting a Kamala Harris presidency as the outcome of the upcoming U.S. elections in November.
7-Eleven ordered to pay B.C. woman $907K for pothole injury
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has ordered 7-Eleven Canada to pay a woman more than $900,000 in damages after she tripped on a pothole and broke her ankle in the parking lot of a convenience store.
NDP MPs embrace distance from 'radioactive' Trudeau brand, as Singh convenes caucus in Montreal
Just days after demolishing his deal with Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is holding a three-day strategy session with his MPs in Montreal, where his MPs are embracing their new-found distance from what one called Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 'radioactive' brand.
Buyers say they lost life savings to a Saskatchewan company selling luxury vacation condos
In 2022, Tanya Frisk-Welburn and her husband bought what they hoped would be a dream home in Mexico.
Inquiry into U.K. hospital where a nurse killed 7 babies will not review evidence against her
An inquiry into an English hospital where a neonatal nurse was convicted of murdering seven babies and trying to kill seven others began Tuesday as her supporters push to clear her name.
Viral Olympian Raygun ranked No. 1 breaker in the world by sport's governing body
Australian breaker Rachael Gunn, the Olympian widely known as B-Girl Raygun who went viral after her performance at the Paris Games, is now ranked the No. 1 breaker in the world.
Young camper diagnosed with life-threatening Powassan virus during northern Ont. trip
A nine-year-old boy contracted an often-deadly disease during a in northern Ontario camping trip in July.
Canadian fast food chains create value menus to win back customers
Canada’s restaurant industry is in a slump as money conscious consumers are eating out less and spending less when they do go out.
Judge reserves decision on Hoggard bail attempt as singer seeks SCOC leave to appeal
A justice with Ontario's Appeal Court has reserved her decision on whether Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard should get bail as he tries to appeal his sexual assault conviction at the country's top court.