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Calgary police believe the same suspect is behind two suspicious house fires that have occurred in the northwestern community of Varsity in recent weeks. Investigators believe the same man was driving before setting fire on May 18 and June 4. Photo from the Calgary Police Department
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Calgary police are searching for a suspected arsonist believed to be involved in two house fires in the northwestern part of the city, including one that broke out early Saturday morning.
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Fire crews received calls from Varsity’s northwest just before 5 a.m. Saturday about smoke and noise reports coming from a garage on Block 1200 on Varsity Estates Road NW
When they arrived, the crews reported a single two-story home engulfed in flames and smoke. Firefighters began fighting the blaze and worked to ensure everyone was removed from the home as well as neighboring buildings. A total of five people were taken from the home, where flames broke out, which is damaged and uninhabitable. Residents of neighboring homes will be temporarily relocated.
Alberta’s health services and Calgary police were also present at the scene.
Police released an update Saturday that investigators have a suspect in the fire. They believe the same man is responsible for another fire that broke out last month in Varsity.
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On May 18, crews responded to a fire nearby in Unit 1100 on Varsity Estates Drive NW. The investigation found video surveillance footage showing a man setting fire to a backyard before fleeing. The fire engulfed a garage and a house.
Calgary police released this image of a suspect who was caught by CCTV cameras setting fire to a shed in the northwestern Calgary community of Varsiti on May 18, 2022. He is now believed to be behind the second fire on June 4. Photo by Calgary Police Department
Police said in both cases they believe the suspect drove around before setting the fires.
Calgary police believe the same suspect is behind two suspicious house fires that have occurred in the northwestern community of Varsity in recent weeks. Photo from the Calgary Police Department
The suspect is between 20 and 30 years old with fair skin and is clean-shaven. It is usually with a hat and backpack.
“We are grateful that no one was injured in the fires, but it is deeply troubling that fires are being set in or near residential homes while residents are at home and often asleep,” a statement from Calgary police said. “There is no information to show that these are targeted incidents and the motive remains unknown. It is extremely important to identify and locate the person we believe is involved in these events. “
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Anyone with information about the suspected arsonist has been asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers.
The crews were also busy early Saturday morning, battling a separate fire. Around 4:45 a.m., a 911 call to Calgary received numerous calls announcing that a home in Block 100 of Evansmeade Common NW was on fire. Teams were sent to the scene where they reported a fire in a two-story single-family home, a press release said Saturday morning. A second alarm was triggered to ensure that there were sufficient resources at the site.
The homes were evacuated and crews began using air streams to fight the flames.
The Calgary Fire Department said both houses were badly damaged by fire and three surrounding homes suffered minor heat damage. Three adults and six children were safely removed from their homes. Investigators are working to determine the cause and origin of the fire, while the AHS and Calgary police were on the scene to help keep everyone safe.
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Calgary fire investigates fire at Evansmeade Common NW, which destroyed many homes in the Evanston community in Calgary on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Photo: DARREN MAKOWICHUK / Postmedia
Anyone with photos or videos of the fire has been asked to contact the Calgary Fire Department.
Saturday’s two morning fires come hours after several homes in Evanston were damaged by Friday flames spread by strong winds. Two sets of duplexes were destroyed, making four homes uninhabitable. Three other homes were affected by heat exposure.
Firefighters irrigate homes badly damaged in a fire in the northwestern community of Evanston on Friday, June 3, 2022. DARAN MAKOVICHUK / Postmedia
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire, which is not considered suspicious and there are no reports of casualties.
The fire with two alarms had 21 devices at the scene, while the Calgary Police Department and the Alberta Health Service also responded to the call. Enmax and ATCO were on stage to oversee utilities.
“With files from Josh Aldrich.”
dshort@postmedia.com
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