Saanich police say a fire at Home Depot in the University Heights Shopping Centre was deliberately set.

Police, who have taken over the investigation from the Saanich Fire Department, said someone entered Home Depot before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and set a fire near the paint department. At the time, a number of children were in the store for a special program on building butterfly houses.

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Home Depot staff managed to remove everyone, while firefighters had the blaze under control within an hour and contained the damage to the store.

No one was hurt. The store was extensively damaged, although no damage estimate has been determined.

Some of the other stores in the shopping centre had to be closed during the fire.

Saanich police Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie noted that the fire was set during a busy time at the store.

“It’s quite concerning,” Leslie said. “Not only was it intentionally lit, but it was intentionally lit while people were inside the building.”

Police are releasing few details about how the fire was set, Leslie said.

“It’s too early to say what exactly was used, as the fire report is still being worked on.”

On Monday, the store was open but the paint department was closed and surrounded by large blue tarps while workers in hard hats cleaned up. A limited range of painting supplies was on display in front of the tarps.

At least four security guards were seen in the store, including one walking the aisles.

While police are leading the investigation, they are working closely with fire officials, Leslie said.

“The fire department has their fire investigator and then we have our forensic investigators, and we also have a fire investigator, as well.”

There are no suspects and no suspect description yet, said Leslie, who urged anyone who saw anything suspicious to call the Saanich police tip line.

“As well, if there’s any video or photos, even outside the scene, that people have taken, please let our investigators know.”

The Saanich police tip line is 250-475-4356.

jwbell@timescolonist.com

— With files from Michael D. Reid