An 18-year-old arsonist behind a massive fire in Osoyoos that gutted two businesses says he was just trying to help the owners of a struggling church thrift shop collect insurance money.

Phoenix Lonsdale has been sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to setting the fire that destroyed the Osoyoos Christian Ministry Thrift Store and an adjoining dollar store May 1.

Though he claims he was trying to help the thrift shop, owners say it was not insured. A $12,000 antique piano used in church services was among the items destroyed in the blaze.

CTV News interviewed Lonsdale, who is a member of the congregation, shortly after the fire was extinguished and the teen said he felt “shocked, sad, depressed” at the loss of the store.

Neighbouring businesses, including a dental clinic and a CIBC bank branch, were heavily damaged.

A court assessment found Lonsdale is a high risk to reoffend.

Thanks to CTV/Castanet for their photograph and files