Man arrested after fire causes extensive damage to Vancouver grocery store

No one was injured in the blaze, but investigators say the business sustained extensive damage from fire, smoke and water. (CTV News)

Police in Vancouver say one man was arrested and remains in custody after a fire was lit inside a grocery store near the city’s Downtown Eastside.

Firefighters responded to the Nesters Market at 333 Abbott St. shortly after 5:30 p.m., when a man reportedly walked into the store and lit the fire.

No one was injured in the blaze, but investigators say the business sustained extensive damage from fire, smoke and water.

The suspect was arrested and police said in a statement Tuesday that investigators are recommending charges of arson to Crown counsel. The man’s identity is not being released pending charge approval, police said.

The incident occurred less than two months after retailer London Drugs shuttered its location in the same Woodward’s Building complex, citing persistent concerns about staff safety and significant losses due to theft.

The Vancouver Police Department plans to open a new training academy in the retail space that was vacated by London Drugs.