Saanich police have a man in custody in connection with a morning arson that affected 2 properties.
Just before 8:30 Police and Saanich Fire received a report of an arson in the 900 block of Greenridge Cres.
A witness reported seeing a man approach a house, where the witness is a caretaker. Thew witness knew the man didn’t belong at the home and approached the suspect at the side of the house. As the caretaker approached he noted the suspect was attempting to light the side door of the house on fire.
The suspect fled and, a few minutes later, the witness noticed smoke coming from a neighbouring property on Saanich Rd.
Police and fire crews were called and discovered part of an occupied house in the 3900 block of Saanich Rd was on fire.
Saanich Fire were able to extinguish the blaze, and no one inside the home was injured. Police searched the area and located the man a few blocks away.
A 46 year old Victoria man, of no fixed address, who is known to Police is in custody. A charge of arson to endanger life is being recommended. The man is being held in custody for a court appearance on June 30, 2017.
Police says the arson not only put the lives of the people inside the home at risk, but also the emergency responders who attended the scene. Sgt. Jereme Leslie calls it "an extremely dangerous situation and luckily no one was injured. "