A 19-year-old man has been arrested after a fire at Stockland Wendouree.
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The Ballarat man was arrested on Monday morning over Friday's blaze at the Norman Street shopping centre in Wendouree.
He's being questioned by police.
The manhunt occurred after the forced the evacuation of thousands from Stockland Wendouree during the Christmas rush on Friday.
Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit are calling for public assistance to help identify a man they believe set fire to a toilet roll in the holder in the male toilets of the Norman Street shopping centre around 1pm on Friday, December 19.
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Cleaners were alerted to the fire and quickly extinguished it but residual smoke from the fire caused the centre to be evacuated for approximately 45 minutes.
On Friday, Stockland Wendouree centre manager Stevie Wright said there was "a few thousand" shoppers evacuated
"It's the week before Christmas so, as you'd expect, there were thousands of people in there," Ms Wright said.
Retailers were let back in about 2pm, while shoppers entered shortly after.
Ms Wright praised her staff who managed to extinguish the blaze and congratulated emergency services for their swift response.
Detectives have reviewed CCTV footage and have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.
Anyone who recognises the man or with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au or call Ballarat Police on 5336 6000.
