OLDS - Fire department officials and RCMP are continuing to call for public tips in relation to three recent arson fires in town, says Olds fire Chief Justin Andrew.
“They are still under investigation and we are working closely with the RCMP,” Andrew said Thursday. “We encourage people to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers with any information they may have.
“If anybody has any information or (CCTV) footage that they think would be of help to use we would absolutely ask them to share it. Right now there are three occurrences that fit into the same profile.”
At about 12:30 a.m. on March 2, Olds RCMP and Olds firefighters responded to a structure fire in the back alley of the 4000 block of Silverthorne Road, in north Olds.
“Two detached garages sustained significant damage in the fire,” said Olds RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim McDonald.
“Firefighters on the scene determined the cause to be suspicious in nature. Further investigation also determined that there had been several other attempts to light fires on other items of property in that area.”
At about 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 1 a garage and vehicle were damaged by fire in an alley off Silverthorne Road.
On Feb. 11 at about 6:45 a.m. a fence in a back alley was lit in the area of 52nd Avenue and 44th Street.
No suspects have been identified in any of the three incidents, McDonald said.
Investigators are asking area residents to review any security footage they may have, including from CCTV security systems, doorbell cameras and trail cameras.
McDonald said residents may help reduce the risk of arson by taking steps including the following:
• Reporting any anti-social or suspicious behaviour to the RCMP.
• Ensuring all external and internal doors, including fence gates, are closed and locked.
• Making sure alarm systems are activated and signage placed advising of an alarm or CCTV cameras.
• Ensuring that garbage doesn’t pile up since it can be used by arsonists to start fires.
• Never leaving unsecured accelerants around their property.
• Keeping external lights on or using motion sensors to light up properties at night.
Anyone with information about any of the recent incidents is being asked to call Olds RCMP at 403-556-3323 or Crime Stoppers.
