RCMP in Castlegar, B.C., say Molotov cocktail thrown into home

A lit Molotov cocktail is seen in this stock image. (shutterstock.com)

Police in B.C.’s West Kootenay region are investigating an arson involving a Molotov cocktail thrown through a window Thursday afternoon.

The incident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. in the 1200 block of 1st Street in Castlegar, the local RCMP detachment said in a news release Friday.

“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 release reads.

“The homeowner attempted to extinguish the flames, while another resident called 911.”

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze to one room of the home, police said.

Investigators are now looking for surveillance images of two suspicious men who were reportedly in the area between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., according to Castlegar RCMP.

They described the men as wearing “charcoal grey or black hooded sweatshirts, dark trousers, dark gloves and black face coverings.”

Police said they’re also looking for a “vehicle of interest,” which they described as a white “SUV or longer-type sedan” with tinted front windows.

Anyone who was travelling north on Columbia Avenue between 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. should check their dash-cam for images of the vehicle, police said.

Information can be shared by calling Castlegar RCMP at 250-365-7721.

Similarities to 2023 incident

This is not the first time Castlegar Mounties have been called to deal with an arson involving a Molotov cocktail in recent years.

In September 2023, police were called to a fire at a home in the 2900 block of 5th Avenue in the middle of the night.

Investigators confirmed that the blaze was the result of “suspect(s) throwing incendiary devices onto the property,” police said at the time.

A search of online court records for the police file number from the 2023 incident yielded no results, suggesting charges have not been laid in connection to the matter.

CTV News has reached out to Castlegar RCMP to ask for updates on the 2023 case and whether there is any connection between it and the latest incident.

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