AFTER a lengthy and complicated arson investigation involving three deliberately set fires which caused significant damage to two Burnaby restaurants, a 50-year-old man has been convicted of three counts of arson and sentenced in relation to the fires.

In the early morning hours of April 11, 2020, fires were deliberately set at a Korean restaurant and a sushi restaurant on Kingsway near Royal Oak Avenue in Burnaby.

The two fires caused extensive damage to both businesses.

Burnaby RCMP’s Economic Crime Unit, which investigates arsons, led the investigation, gathering and reviewing hundreds of hours of surveillance video as investigators worked to identify a suspect.

On November 6, 2020, a third fire was set, targeting the same sushi restaurant for a second time.

Steven Sean Sorenson was charged in connection to the three fires on November 13, 2020.

He was convicted of three counts of arson in BC Supreme Court in November 2022.

On April 21, 2023, Sorenson was sentenced to a prison term of nearly five years, and given a three-year probation order which will take effect once he is released.

“This sentencing is the conclusion of a difficult and painstaking investigation that involved a significant amount of video evidence. Throughout this investigation, our officers remained dedicated to identifying and locating a suspect and gathering sufficient evidence to secure charges,” said Sgt. Aly Mohan with Burnaby RCMP Investigative Services on Monday.

The three fires are estimated to have caused more than $550,000 in damage.