Vancouver Island police are asking for the public’s help identifying an attempted arsonist who lit an Oak Bay business on fire Friday morning.
The Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) says it responded to a report of a fire around 1 a.m. on August 9 near the corner of Oak Bay Avenue and Foul Bay Road.
Two staff members told police they had been inside the business after closing time and heard someone near the front door.
“They went to investigate and saw flames,” police said in a release, adding that the staff quickly put out the fire with an extinguisher.
Police say there was no damage to the building and no one was injured.
CCTV footage from the entrance of the business was reviewed by officers who say the video shows a man wearing a dark-coloured balaclava, a denim jacket, camo-patterned pants, red running shoes and a camo backpack pouring a liquid over the front steps, lighting the liquid on fire, and then running away.
Police say the incident could have had a “catastrophic outcome” if the staff members hadn’t noticed in time.
The OBPD has released an image of the suspect and is asking anyone with information to call 250-592-2424 or contact Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS(8177).