A series of eight suspicious fires in Edmonton since September has resulted in an estimated $8 million in damages, as confirmed by fire officials on Tuesday. The Edmonton Police are actively investigating six of these incidents, with four in the King Edward Park and Belgravia neighborhoods, and the two most recent fires in Glenora. Additionally, two fires in the Highlands neighborhood in September have been classified as suspicious.
All eight fires targeted infill developments that were under construction. Although the police believe that the six most recent fires, occurring between October 18 and November 2, might be linked, it has not been definitively confirmed. Deputy Chief Nicole Chapdelaine emphasized the importance of these arson cases during a news conference on Tuesday, urging residents with home security cameras to review their footage for any suspicious activities.
The most recent fires occurred in Glenora within hours of each other on a Sunday. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to a residential fire near 102nd Avenue and 133rd Street at 1:25 a.m. Crews found an infill building engulfed in flames, with a nearby home under construction also catching fire. A second-alarm was triggered at 1:38 a.m. to bring in additional support before a third residential property, which was occupied, was affected by the fire.
Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the fires were extinguished by Sunday afternoon. Later that night, another residential fire near 71a Avenue and Saskatchewan Drive was reported at 11:15 p.m. Fire crews arrived at 11:20 p.m. to find a single-family home under construction fully involved in flames, which they brought under control by 1:06 a.m.
Edmonton Fire Chief David Lazenby highlighted the concerns of residents living near infill development sites, emphasizing the need for vigilance and community support to ensure safety in these areas.