Police in Oak Bay, British Columbia are on the hunt for an arson suspect after a fire broke out in a residential area on Monday night.
According to authorities, the fire was reported at around 10:30 p.m. in the 2000 block of Esplanade, near the intersection of Beach Drive and Lansdowne Road. Firefighters quickly arrived on the scene and were able to contain the blaze, preventing it from spreading to nearby homes.
No injuries were reported, but the fire caused significant damage to the property. The Oak Bay Fire Department estimates the cost of the damage to be around $100,000.
Police have deemed the fire to be suspicious and are now searching for a suspect. They have released a description of the individual, describing them as a Caucasian male in his late 20s or early 30s, approximately 5’10” tall with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a dark hoodie and dark pants.
Investigators are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in the area to come forward. They are also urging residents to check their security cameras for any footage that may assist in the investigation.
This is not the first time that the Oak Bay community has been targeted by arson. In 2019, a string of suspicious fires occurred in the area, leading to the arrest of a suspect who was charged with multiple counts of arson.
Residents are understandably concerned about the recent fire and are hoping for a swift resolution to the case. Police are assuring the public that they are taking this matter seriously and are working diligently to identify and apprehend the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Oak Bay Police Department or Crime Stoppers anonymously. The investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided as they become available.
