Nanaimo man charged with arson after potential restaurant fire

A man has been charged with arson and several other offenses after an off-duty RCMP officer prevented a potential fire at a Nanaimo restaurant. On August 4, an officer walking to work spotted a man carrying a knife in an alley near a restaurant on Wallace Street. The officer recognized the individual, who was under court-imposed conditions prohibiting weapon possession, and returned with backup to arrest him.

Police discovered combustible materials piled against the building's exterior and seized a knife and lighter at the scene. Michael Heywood, 39, faces charges including arson, mischief, and breaches of probation and release orders. He remains in custody following a bail hearing.

In a separate incident that morning, Nanaimo Fire Rescue responded to a suspected arson at an A&W restaurant on Victoria Crescent. A 56-year-old man was arrested later that day in connection with that fire.