Former BC Conservative candidate believes her car was intentionally set on fire

A former BC Conservative candidate says her car was intentionally set on fire outside her home.

Gwen O’Mahony ran for the BC Conservatives in the riding of Nanaimo-Lantzville in 2024.

Recently, she had been speaking out against issues including safe supply, harm reduction and church arsons. She said she believes this incident was targeted.

“Then a few hours later, my car now is destroyed by fire.”

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Nanaimo RCMP confirmed they were called to the fire around 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The back tire and passenger side door of the Fiat were damaged in the blaze.

Const. Sherri Wade with Nanaimo RCMP said a passerby saw something on fire on the ground and then saw the back of the car on fire.

She said a car intentionally set on fire is a rare occurrence.

“When I looked at the picture (of the burning car), none of the cars on the road were damaged,” Wade said.

“So we would then wonder about a person’s acquaintances, people who they may have been in contact with or maybe a grievance with someone they have. I think because no other car was damaged we began to think this was suspicious.”

O’Mahony said she no longer feels safe in her community and if police do not make any arrests she will consider moving.

Nanaimo RCMP said the investigation continues.

Any motorist who was parked near the intersection of Dufferin Crescent and/or on Summerhill Place on Tuesday, Feb. 11 between 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. is asked to review their dash camera footage.

Anything suspicious that was filmed during that time can be reported to the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line (250) 754-2345, file #2050-4083.