A 57-year-old man accused of intentionally setting a massive fire that destroyed an unfinished Saanich townhouse complex has been charged.

Steven Pickering is also accused in a fire that damaged part of a Home Depot store one month earlier.

Police arrested the Saanich man on Wednesday.

Neighbours reported hearing a series of loud explosions on May 22 before fire broke out in the 4000-block of Cedar Hill Road.

Flames jumped as high as 70 feet in the air and plumes of smoke could be seen around Greater Victoria.

Four nearby buildings were evacuated and while no one was injured in the blaze, six people were displaced and had to be put up in hotels.

The month before, a suspicious fire broke out in the paint department of a Home Depot just down the road.

Firefighters made quick work of that blaze, but said it appeared to have been set intentionally.

"These fires caused a significant amount of damage and fortunately no one was injured," Saanich Police Sgt. Jereme Leslie said in a statement. "We are pleased to announce that an arrest has been made and would like to thank the public for their support and understanding during these investigation."

Police have not connected Pickering to another suspicious fire set in a stuffed toy aisle at a Toys ‘R Us store in Mayfair Shopping Centre in April.

Pickering is charged with intentionally and recklessly causing damage by fire or explosion.

He remains in custody and has a bail hearing Friday afternoon.