VANCOUVER – A 20 year-old man has been taken to hospital after a fire broke at a Saanich home Friday night.
Sgt. Steve Eassie with Saanich police says the fire may have originated in and around the living room of the home in the 3800 block of Saanich Road around 10 o’clock last night.
The Saanich Fire Department responded with 18 firefighters and upon arrival found smoke and flames showing from the main floor area.
Police found a lone man inside the residence. He’s been taken to hospital and remains in custody.
Aside from the man, one caged bird was also removed without injury from the building.
Investigators say it appears the fire was deliberately set.
Eassie says the incident is an ongoing arson investigation.
He says it appears an accelerant was used to start the fire.
The home has been rendered uninhabitable. It’s estimated the fire has caused more than $100,000 in damages.
“At this time the residence is not occupied by the family that owns the home,” says Eassie. “They are taking steps to return to the home relatively quickly.”
He says the 20-year-old suspect is a member of the family.
“It would appear that there are some mental health components to this investigation.”
Eassie says the man suffered non-fire-related injuries and there was indication of attempted self harm.
The suspect has had no prior police contact or criminal record.
Police are looking at a possible charge of arson in this case.
Eassie says the fire is an isolated incident, and is not connected to other fires that occurred in the Greater Victoria area in recent weeks.
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