Accused arsonist stays in custody

Saanich man, 57, did not appear in court, defence lawyer facing a ‘big file’ says

A 57-year-old Saanich man charged with arson in connection with two fires — a massive blaze that destroyed a Cedar Hill Road townhouse complex and another at Home Depot — will remain in custody this weekend.

Steven Pickering was arrested Wednesday by Saanich police and had a telebail hearing Thursday afternoon.

He is charged with intentionally and recklessly setting fire to Home Depot in the University Heights Shopping Centre on April 9 and to a townhouse complex at 3999 and 4009 Cedar Hill Rd. on May 22, knowing the properties were occupied.

Pickering is also charged with theft under $5,000 from Home Depot on April 23.

Pickering did not appear in court on Friday and consented to remain in custody over the weekend, said his defence lawyer, Kirk Karaszkiewicz.

“I have not had a chance to speak to him, but there seems to be a great deal of information about this case that I need to learn about,” Karaszkiewicz said.

“It’s a big file.”

Pickering is to appear by video in Victoria provincial court Monday morning.

No one was hurt in either fire. The combined damage is estimated at $7 million to $10 million.

Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie of Saanich police said investigators worked closely with the Saanich Fire Department and reviewed hours of surveillance video before making the arrest.

The charge of arson to an occupied property is more serious than a regular arson charge, Leslie said.

The Cedar Hill Road fire, which caused propane tanks to explode and sent flames 25 metres into the air, was close to many other residences, he said. “The geography of that area, other homes are very, very close.”

At least 14 people were displaced by the blaze and ended up in hotels or staying with friends or family.

Leslie said the Home Depot fire was set during a busy time at the store, about 11:30 a.m. on a Saturday.

The fire was set near the paint department. A number of children were in the store building butterfly houses at the time.

Saanich investigators have spoken with Victoria detectives looking into a suspicious April 27 fire at the Toys “R” Us store in Mayfair Shopping Centre, said Victoria police spokesman Bowen Osoko.

“We believe there’s no link between Saanich’s arrest and our file.”