SALEM, Va. – Salem police have made an arrest in connection to the fire that happened at the 7-Eleven Liberty gas station on East Main Street early Monday afternoon.
Police said 33-year old Jackie Vasher entered the store, poured gasoline on the floor, ignited it and ran from the scene.
They caught him a short distance from the store.
All five employees working inside the store were able to get out of the building safely. There were no customers inside the store at the time of the fire.
Police charged Vasher with five counts of attempted malicious injury by fire and one count of arson. He's being held in jail without bond.
The incident is still under investigation, and detectives are still trying to determine a motive for starting the fire.
The Salem Fire Marshal estimates the fire caused $150,000 of damage.