Arsonist sentenced for fire at Ukrainian pastor's home in Victoria

CTV News

2 days ago

Emergency crews respond to an arson at a church pastor's home in Victoria, B.C., on April 20, 2022.
Three years after an arson attack at a Ukrainian pastor's home in Victoria, B.C., the man responsible has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years behind bars.
Walter 'Theo' Machinski was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of arson with disregard for human life, the Victoria Police Department announced Wednesday.
Pastor Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, his wife and their three daughters were asleep in the home – which is attached to the Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker – when the attack began in the early morning hours of April 20, 2022.
Vyshnevskyy previously told CTV News he awoke around 1 a.m. to his wife screaming from the ground floor, where gasoline was being poured into a mail slot.
Some family members were forced to jump from second-storey windows to escape the flames, while others were rescued by firefighters, authorities said.
'We are incredibly fortunate that this dangerous act did not result in more serious injuries or loss of life,' said Acting Deputy Chief Michael Brown, in a statement.
'The bravery of the family and the swift response of our officers and Victoria firefighters prevented a tragedy.'
At the time of Machinski's arrest, police said they believed the incident was targeted, but not motivated by 'hatred towards an identifiable group.'
Records obtained by CTV News show Machinski served as the St. Nicholas pastor prior to Vyshnevskyy taking over the role.
Police said the property sustained serious damage in the fire, and remains uninhabitable.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Todd Coyne