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Lochside Trail arson causes $2K in damage

Men from Central Saanich and Esquimalt face charges in weekend fire that damaged Saanich trail

Two Greater Victoria men face arson charges after setting a fire on the Lochside Regional Trail early Sunday morning.

Saanich police were alerted of the fire, located on the trail just west of Quadra Street, around 3 a.m. Two men were seen adding fuel – pieces of wood and pallets – to the large fire, which was estimated at four feet in diameter.

Both men were arrested. Police say they were “highly intoxicated” at the time of the incident.

A 24-year-old Central Saanich man and a 27-year-old Esquimalt man each face charges of arson and mischief.

Mike MacIntyre, operations manager with CRD Parks, says the trail will be repaired, but crews need to wait until the weather improves to fix the asphalt. He estimates it will cost $2,000 for the repairs.

editor@saanichnews.com