Gang violence suspected in Prince George fire

A 60-year-old disabled woman appears to be the latest victim of gang violence in Prince George, B.C.

The woman, who is confined to a wheelchair, was critically injured in a suspicious fire at a home in the city Wednesday.

She suffered serious burns and has been transported to a Vancouver hospital for treatment. 

Police suspect the fire was an attack on the family of a reputed gang member.

"This is the first house fire I'm aware of where somebody was targeted," RCMP Const. Lesley Smith told CBC News. "Somebody was inside the house that could have perished."  

The woman's son owns a tattoo parlour, the Twisted Soul Tattoo Shop, which was destroyed in another suspicious fire in Prince George Tuesday.

"This is either a message sent out by his own gang members … or a rival gang," said Smith.

Police would not name the man, but police records link Joey Lamont Arrance to the home destroyed by fire.

In September, Arrance, 31, was jailed after police allege they seized body armour, an inert grenade, and a handgun from the home.

The building is registered to Linda Joyce Fredin, who was arrested with Arrance in September and is scheduled to appear in court to face charges.

Police allege Arrance is a member of a drug gang called the Game Tight Soldiers.

They also allege the gang moved north to Prince George in the last two years from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Arrance is being held at the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre where he's awaiting trial on charges related to firearms, sexual assault, breach of undertaking, and resisting a police officer.