Series of suspected arson incidents under investigation

Police in Airdrie are investigating several suspected arson incidents in and around the community that happened over the last few weeks.

Crews have responded to nine fires since October 1 and police are asking residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious people or vehicles in the area.

“We’ve had a number of hay bales set on fire. We’ve had some structure set on fire, most recently a townhouse complex under construction. Thankfully no one’s been injured at this point but the amount of property damage and any uncontrolled fire is definitely very concerning,” said RCMP Constable Jason Curtis.

The fires happened in and around Airdrie as follows:

1. October 1st - Small suspicious fire in the Main Street Plaza parking lot
2. October 7^th - Garbage can fire at Chinook winds
3. October 8^th - Newspaper stand on fire at Sobey’s Liquor store on Mackenzie Way
4. October 10^th - Barn fire on Township Road 264
5. October 10^th - Unoccupied RV on fire at Symons Valley Road
6. October 11^th - Straw bales on fire Range Road 292 and Township Road 264
7. October 12^th - Ravenswood neighbourhood for a number of fires at under-construction town homes
8. October 12^th - Structure fire on 264 Township Road in Balzac
9. October 13^th - Straw bales on fire on Highway 566

“At this point it would be purely speculation to say if this was all the act of one individual or not but it is definitely a concerning trend,” said Curtis. "Our main concern is obviously public safety, we want to make sure that nobody gets injured."

Anyone with information is asked to call Airdrie RCMP at 403-945-7267, Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com.

• 

  Police say a number of fires were set at a townhouse complex that was under construction.