Shuswap man charged with arson after convenience store fire

West said the caller reported that a man had driven a vehicle into the convenience store.

“According to witnesses accounts, that we had been made aware of through our dispatching system, [he] was splashing gas in the store and on the vehicle,” West said.

“Our officers attended. At that point in time it is alleged that the male had lit that gasoline on fire and the vehicle and the business itself were fully involved.”

The staff checked to make sure there were no customers inside the building and evacuated the store on their own.

West said it was a traumatic experience for staff and commended them for ensuring no patrons were inside the building.

Police arrested one man at the scene.

On Monday, the 7-Eleven remained heavily damaged and roped off by caution tape.

The store has not yet responded to a request for comment on what the fire means for the future of the business and its staff.

Neither the store staff nor the suspect were injured in the incident.

However, officials were forced to evacuate nearby businesses and divert traffic as they dealt with the situation.

Laforge remains in custody and is expected to be in court in Salmon Arm on Tuesday.

Police said there is no indication the vehicle involved in the incident was stolen.

by Megan Turcato / Global Okanagan

Shuswap man charged with arson after convenience store fire

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