News release

Police investigate residential arson

January 23, 2026 - Castlegar, British Columbia
From: Castlegar RCMP

Content

File: 2026-171

On January 22, 2026, shortly before 1:00 p.m., Castlegar RCMP responded to a residential fire in the 1200-block of 1st Street in Castlegar. An unknown man allegedly set fire to a red fuel can on the front porch of the residence and threw a Molotov cocktail through the front window. The homeowner attempted to extinguish the flames, while another resident called 9-1-1. 

The Castlegar Fire Department responded and were able to contain the fire to one room of the residence. 

Castlegar RCMP is requesting residents in the 1200-block of 1st Avenue to review their surveillance cameras for any images of two suspicious men between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. The men were described as wearing:

• charcoal grey or black hooded sweatshirts,
• dark trousers,
• dark gloves, 
• black face coverings. 

Castlegar RCMP is also requesting motorists who travelled northbound on Columbia Avenue between the hours of 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. on January 22, 2026, to check their dashcams for images of a vehicle of interest. The vehicle is described as:

• white in colour,
• tinted front windows,
• SUV or longer type sedan.

Please call the Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721 if you have information that can aid in the ongoing investigation.

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