Police say arson caused fire at former Plaza Hotel, caretaker still missing

Victoria police say the fire that destroyed the abandoned Plaza Hotel last month was arson.

The fire started on May 6 and burned for days, covering parts of the city in a pall of smoke.

Police say they have been working with the Victoria Fire Department in a lengthy investigation to determine the case of the blaze.

There was some concern that the building’s caretaker, Mike Draeger, may have been inside the hotel during the fire, and he remains missing.

Police have since released photos of Draeger with and without his long grey beard.

The department is asking that if anyone has information about the fire or of the location of Draeger to contact them.