Delta arsonist sentenced to 130 days in jail for New Years Day fires totalling $3M in damages

Almost two years after a deliberately-set fire destroyed a commercial building in the Delta community of Tsawwassen, B.C., a local resident has pleaded guilty to the act and been sentenced to 130 days in jail.

Police say the fire in the two-storey medical-dental building, located at 5405 12th Ave. was reported at about 4 a.m. on Jan. 1., 2020. Once home to two dental practices and a music school, the structure was completely gutted and total damages are estimated to be over $3 million.

Daniel Robert Hacking, 31, has pleaded guilty to arson damaging property. In addition to the 130 day jail sentence, he's been handed three years probation.

Delta police Deputy Chief Harj Sidhu said evidence on a digital video recorder found fully submerged in water within the burned-out building was key to finding the person responsible.

"This deliberate act significantly impacted the businesses, employees, their customers and Tsawwassen residents,' said the police department in a statement.

The investigation included support from a number of different sections of Delta police, including the Crime Reduction Unit, the Patrol Support Team and the Major Crime Section.