A gas station convenience store has been shut down due to fire damage after a shoplifter shot a flare in the direction of a clerk inside.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were called out to the fire at the Circle K convenience store on Departure Bay Road and Norwell Drive on Saturday just after 9 p.m.

Const. Gary O鈥橞rien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said two teenagers allegedly shoplifted from the store.

鈥淥ne of them discharged a single-tube flare into the store directly at the clerk, struck merchandise, a fire ignited, caused significant damage, the clerk fled the store,鈥� O鈥橞rien said.

The clerk wasn鈥檛 hurt, but was traumatized by the incident, O鈥橞rien said, adding that the store sustained extensive damage to the structure and the merchandise.

Police have accessed surveillance video and have identified the suspects involved as two 16-year-olds, whom they have not yet located. He said a possible charge of mischief endangering life could stem from the incident.

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Nanaimo RCMP released these photos of damage to a convenience store after a teen shoplifter allegedly started a fire by shooting a flare in the direction of the store clerk鈥�

鈥� Nanaimo Bulletin (@NanaimoBulletin)

Jodi Le Masurier, assistant fire chief, said crews did a great job getting the fire quickly under control and extinguished. She said a fire at a gas station potentially adds risks.

鈥淚n those kinds of situations, definitely the incident commander would be aware of the tanks that are close by and would be taking those risks into consideration,鈥� she said.

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