Victoria, British Columbia — October 5, 2016 — Investigators now believe that a fire that broke out overnight at a body shop in Victoria, British Columbia, was set deliberately. Firefighters were called to Gurmail Auto Body on Dunedin St. in the very early hours of Monday after receiving a report that a number of cars in the facility’s lot were on fire. The fire had also spread to a building nearby, damaging its exterior.
“There were things exploding when our guys were there. It was a complicated scene,” said Victoria Fire Battalion Chief Wayn Moody, according to a report filed by CTV Vancouver Island. “There were a lot of vehicles in that enclosed area, so they were dealing with car fires, they were dealing with a structure fire, and they’re also dealing with possibly having occupants inside.”
The shop was empty at the time and no injuries have been reported. The building was heavily damaged and damages are estimated around $230,000. Investigators believe the fire was the work of an arsonist. They are also currently investigating another fire that took place at a dock nearby, noting that it too appears to have been set intentionally.
“You can only speculate at this time,” said Moody, according to CTV Vancouver Island. “Is it somebody malicious? Does somebody have a beef? Is it somebody that’s just a little bit out there? You just don’t know.”
Police are now calling for witnesses of either blaze to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can see CTV Vancouver Island’s report in the player below.
