Fire burned a considerable portion of a dental office building on Saturday evening, a fire which is believed to be deliberately set. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

downtown fire

Arson charges pending against two men linked to downtown Nanaimo fire

Aug 21, 2023 | 12:10 PM

NANAIMO — Two men remain in custody and face potential arson charges after a fire in the city’s downtown.

Flames shot out of a dental office at the corner of Wentworth St. and Richards St. just before 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19 with the building fully involved by the time firefighters arrived.

Crews quickly had the fire extinguished, however the investigation was then turned over to Nanaimo RCMP.

“Information at that scene led us to the arrest of two individuals, who have not been formally charged but they are in custody and are expected to make an appearance in Nanaimo Provincial Court Tuesday,” Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW.

No one was reportedly injured as a result of the fire, while crews said at the time nobody linked to the property or the fire was found on-scene.

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The fire itself was called in by a Nanaimo RCMP officer out on patrol.

O’Brien was unable to comment further on the age or hometowns of those accused.

“Until such time Crown has taken a look at the investigative materials and determine what charges, if any, only then can we release information on the individuals.”

Anyone with information on the fire, who has not already spoken with Nanaimo RCMP, is asked to contact the detachment at 250 754 2345, quoting file number 2023-28934.

The front entrance way of the home-turned-dental office remains taped off and boarded up after a fire Saturday evening. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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