Police seek public information on victims of arson attack

Victoria Police Department
Victoria Police Department
Yetunde Bada - CFUV - VictoriaBC | 17-11-2020
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Detectives with the Victoria Police Department (VicPD) Major Crimes Unit are looking for victims of an arson at the Capital City Centre Hotel last week.

The VicPD website says investigators believe they have not yet been in contact with everyone who was injured in the incident and need to speak with them.

Victims have been advised to come forward or call the Report desk on police non-emergency lines while anonymous callers have been asked to call Crime Stoppers.

Recall that officers evacuated nearly 100 tenants from the building even as they located and apprehended the man who allegedly started the fire.

According to the website, Matthew Brian Petker, 32, has been charged with arson with disregard for human life, and arson causing property damage.

The attack took place on Nov. 5 shortly before 8:30 p.m. after a man placed a distress call to police.

Five people, including the accused, were transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries while several others, including officers on scene, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries related to smoke inhalation.