An elderly man was at home at the time of the fire but escaped unhurt after being alerted by a passing motorist about 10:40 a.m.
The driver stopped after seeing the flames and knocked on the door of the home. Once the man was safely outside, a garden hose was used to fight the blaze until the North Saanich Fire Department arrived.
Damage was done to the carport and the home’s roof.
The woman, who has been remanded in custody pending a Sept. 26 court appearance, has also been charged with uttering threats and theft under $5,000 after an investigation by the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, Central Saanich police and the fire department.
The charge of uttering threats stems from an Aug. 9 incident where a threat of causing damage at the property was allegedly made to a farm employee. The theft charge is linked to unspecified “incendiary devices” being stolen from a Sidney business.
The RCMP initially requested information from nearby farm owners about any suspicious activities, said Sidney/North Saanich RCMP Const. Steve Foster.
“We didn’t receive anything so right now we’re dealing with a singular event as far as the arson goes.”
