Wal-Mart in north Nanaimo was closed for several days after a fire was set inside the store, allegedly by Edwin Singh who remains in custody in Victoria. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

large investigation

Arson charge laid in connection to Walmart fire in north Nanaimo

Oct 19, 2023 | 1:22 PM

NANAIMO — Police in Victoria have partnered with local Mounties to arrest and charge a man with several crimes, including a high profile arson in Nanaimo.

Edwin Vikash Singh, 42, was arrested on the south Island on Aug. 27 after a series of fires believed to be deliberately set in Victoria and Saanich.

Further investigation resulted in alleged connections between Singh and a Feb. 22 fire set inside Wal-Mart at Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo, which resulted in a temporary closure of the store and millions in property damage and lost inventory.

Singh is also charged with a March 20 incident at Gold’s Automotive on Wallace St. where CCTV footage captured an individual apparently tampering with a car before it exploded.

In total, Singh is facing 16 counts of arson from the different incidents in Nanaimo, Victoria and Saanich, in addition to an assault with a weapon charge from a May 5 incident, also in Nanaimo.

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“We’re very impressed with the work done by Victoria Police Department. We’re glad to assist them in this investigation,” Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien said. “Both files had a lot of resources and it was the hard work of Victoria Police Department that led to, ultimately, the individual being charged.”

Singh’s next court appearance is Nov. 7.

He remains in custody.

Damage to the Wal-Mart was extensive after a fire was lit in a stack of diapers at the rear of the store, forcing an evacuation.

Considerable smoke damage occurred to the building and inventory inside, prompting a multi-day closure of the store and forced replacement of clothing and other items inside.

Court records show Singh’s criminal history in the province dates back to the early 2000’s, which includes crimes of violence, property crimes, drug trafficking and breaching probation orders.

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