A Wakeisah Ave. apartment unit was destroyed in a delibertaly set fire on April 18, 2021. Tenant Andrew John Chant was convicted of setting his former home on fire. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

guilty

Man convicted of torching Nanaimo apartment after fight with his mother

May 10, 2022 | 5:29 AM

NANAIMO — Days after allegedly assaulting and threatening to kill his mother, a Wakesiah Ave. apartment the two shared was destroyed in a deliberately set fire.

Andrew John Chant, 37, was found guilty of arson in connection with a daytime fire at an apartment unit on Wakesiah Ave. at First St. on April 18, 2021.

The Friday, May 6 decision from judge Justine Saunders followed a trial in which the crown built a circumstantial case which included several witnesses piecing together Chant’s movements before and after the fire.

Judge Saunders outlined Chant’s mother discovered the carnage a day following the blaze.

“The apartment was gutted. She lost everything she owned in the fire. She has no insurance and testified she has not seen Andrew since April 12, 2021.”

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Judge Saunders’ decision heavily referenced testimony from Chant’s mother, who explained her mentally unwell son had become increasingly angry during their five years of living together.

She testified Chant accused her of trying to poison him, he believed the CIA put a chip in his brain and agents administered magic spells on him.

The offender was also upset about plans to move him to the Comox Valley, according to his mother.

She left the unit to live elsewhere because Chant allegedly attacked her with a frying pan, threatened to stab her and warned of burning the apartment down six days before the fire.

Nearby surveillance video showed Chant entering and leaving the apartment complex shortly before and after the fire.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) identified two purposely set fires, one in each bedroom, which included irregular burn patterns.

Chant’s mother’s unit sustained the most damage, which was completely burned floor to ceiling.

NFR captain and fire prevention officer Alan Millbank testified there were no electrical issues present in the unit at the time and that he believed either a liquid or paper provided the source of ignition.

A pre sentence report accompanied with a psychiatric assessment will be done for an upcoming sentencing hearing to take place at a yet to be determined date.

A decision from a judge is scheduled next month in relation to the alleged assault and threats made by Chant against his mother nearly a week prior to the fire.

He’s currently in custody at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre in Saanich.

The Wakesiah Ave. arson is the only conviction against Chant in the province.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes