Advertisement

Shuswap man charged with arson after convenience store fire

Click to play video: 'Charges laid after crash and fire at Salmon Arm 7-Eleven'
Charges laid after crash and fire at Salmon Arm 7-Eleven
Watch Above: The story about how Salmon Arm’s 7-Eleven went up in flames will likely be the talk of the town for weeks. A Shuswap man is now facing charges. He’s accused of crashing a vehicle into the store and lighting the fire deliberately – Aug 27, 2018

Kenneth Laforge is facing charges of mischief and arson related to inhabited property after a Salmon Arm 7-Eleven was seriously damaged in a fire on Friday.

Police said the 37-year-old man is from the greater Salmon Arm area but has no personal connection to the store that police are aware of.

Salmon Arm detachment commander Staff Sgt. Scott West wouldn’t comment on what might have motivated the crime.

Watch Below: Witness video of Friday’s fire at 7-Eleven in Salmon Arm.
Click to play video: 'Smoke, fire pouring from 7-Eleven store'
Smoke, fire pouring from 7-Eleven store

Police officers were called to the store on the Trans-Canada Highway in Salmon Arm around 2 p.m. on Friday.

Story continues below advertisement

West said the caller reported that a man had driven a vehicle into the convenience store.

“According to witnesses accounts, that we had been made aware of through our dispatching system, [he] was splashing gas in the store and on the vehicle,” West said.

“Our officers attended. At that point in time it is alleged that the male had lit that gasoline on fire and the vehicle and the business itself were fully involved.”

The staff checked to make sure there were no customers inside the building and evacuated the store on their own.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

West said it was a traumatic experience for staff and commended them for ensuring no patrons were inside the building.

Police arrested one man at the scene.

On Monday, the 7-Eleven remained heavily damaged and roped off by caution tape.

7-Eleven has not yet responded to a request for comment on what the fire means for the future of the business and its staff.

Neither the store staff nor the suspect was injured in the incident.

Story continues below advertisement

However, officials were forced to evacuate nearby businesses and divert traffic as they dealt with the situation.

Laforge remains in custody and is expected to be in court in Salmon Arm on Tuesday.

Police said their is no indication the vehicle involved in the incident was stolen.

Sponsored content

AdChoices