Two youths have been arrested in connection to an alleged arson in Langford.
West Shore RCMP and Langford Fire Rescue began the investigation after a suspicious stairwell fire displaced 60 tenants evacuated from a 29-unit building in the 700-block of Hockley Avenue just after 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 12.
“The West Shore RCMP Major Crime Unit, including an arson investigator and the RCMP Forensic Identification Service are working closely with the Langford Fire Department into this incident,” said Const. Alex Bérubé of the West Shore RCMP. “Luckily, nobody was injured and the damage was limited to the stairwell.”
Evacuated residents were sheltered at the Langford Legion before returning later that same evening.
One suspect was arrested Dec. 14 after being spotted by a construction worker in the area, the second was arrested without incident Dec. 16. Both were released on a Promise to Appear set for February 25, 2016.
The two arrested youths, aged 16 and 17, cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
alim@goldstreamgazette.com
