The residents of Marlborough, in northeast Calgary, are very concerned after a house in the community was set fire deliberately for the fourth time in just over a month.
At about 5 a.m. on Sunday morning, firefighters were called to a home on Marbank Way N.E. after heavy smoke was seen pouring from the basement of the home.
Crews quickly knocked down the fire, but are perplexed because this is the fourth time the house was set on fire.
“I’ve not seen a property catch fire four times in a month myself and that’s in 34 years, so we’re quite concerned,” said acting Battalion Chief Randy McRae.
No one was living there as the home was being repaired after the previous fires. The residents had been advised to move somewhere else after the third fire, which took place on April 5.
No one else was injured in this most recent fire.
Last week, police released images and video of a suspected arsonist, who was caught on camera walking into the area carrying a large black bag.
They haven’t managed to track down any suspects since releasing the information.
The other fires took place on April 1 and March 29.
Investigators say the damage to the house from the fires has already exceeded $170.000.
Residents continue to be concerned by the series of fires and some say they’ll be keeping a closer eye out for any sign of the arsonist.
"We definitely think there is an arsonist going around, setting this house on fire," said Sandra Krazanowski, who lives in the area. "I think maybe there needs to be some kind of police presence or something, maybe an unmarked cop car in the back."
The investigation is ongoing.
