Victoria police have launched an investigation after two fires were deliberately started inside a well-known downtown store over the weekend. The incident occurred at Value Village located at 1810 Store St. in the heart of Victoria.
According to authorities, the first fire occurred just after 8:30 p.m. on Saturday when an individual set a blaze along a product rack inside the store. Witnesses reported that the flames reached a height of approximately 2.5 meters (eight feet) before store staff managed to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during this incident.
Shortly after the first fire was extinguished, a second, smaller fire was spotted by a customer who promptly put it out themselves. It is not yet clear if the two fires are related, but investigators are treating them as separate incidents for now.
Victoria police are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the fires or has any relevant information to come forward. In particular, authorities are interested in speaking to two women who were inside the store at the time of the incident, as they may have seen the suspect or suspects responsible for starting the fires.
Additionally, police are urging anyone with dashcam or surveillance footage that may have captured suspicious activity leading up to the fires to get in touch. The authorities hope that these videos could provide valuable leads in identifying and apprehending the culprits.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact the E-Comm Report Desk at (250) 995-7654 extension 1 or to submit tips anonymously to Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.
FAQ:
Q: Is anyone injured in the incident?
A: No injuries were reported during the fires at Value Village.
Q: Are the two fires related?
A: At this time, it is unclear if the two fires are connected, and investigators are treating them as separate incidents.
Q: How can witnesses or those with information help?
A: Victoria police are urging witnesses to come forward and share any information they may have. They are particularly interested in speaking to two women who were inside the store at the time. Additionally, anyone with dashcam or surveillance footage capturing suspicious activity leading up to the fires is encouraged to contact the police.