Police search for suspected arsonist behind two suspicious fires in northwest Calgary

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Calgary police are searching for a suspected arsonist believed to be involved in two fires in the city’s northwest, including one that occurred early Saturday morning.

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Fire crews received calls from the Northwest Varsity neighborhood just before 5 a.m. Saturday for reports of smoke and noise coming from a garage in the 1200 block of Varsity Estates Road NW.

When they arrived, crews reported that a single two-story house was engulfed in flames and smoke. Firefighters began battling the flames and worked to make sure everyone was removed from the house and neighboring buildings. A total of five people were removed from the house where the flames originated, which is damaged and uninhabitable. Residents of neighboring houses will be temporarily displaced.

Alberta Health Services and Calgary Police also attended the scene.

Police issued an update Saturday saying investigators have a suspect in connection with the fire. They believe the same man is responsible for another fire that occurred last month at Varsity.

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On May 18, crews responded to a nearby fire in the 1100 block of Varsity Estates Drive NW. An investigation found CCTV footage showing a man setting fire to a rear shed before fleeing. The fire spread to a garage and a house.

Police said in both cases they believe the suspect was loitering around the car before setting the fires.

The suspect is described as being between 20 and 30 years of age, fair skinned and clean shaven. He usually wears a hat and carries a backpack.

“We are grateful that no one was injured as a result of these fires, however it is very concerning that fires are being set in or near residential homes while residents are home and often sleeping,” Calgary Police said. it’s a statement. “There is no information to indicate that these are targeted incidents and the motive remains unknown. It is critically important that we identify and locate the person we believe to be connected to these events.”

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Anyone with information about the suspected arsonist is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Anonymous suggestions can be submitted via crime deterrents.

Crews were also kept busy early Saturday morning battling a separate fire. Around 4:45 a.m., Calgary 911 dispatch received multiple calls reporting a home in the 100 block of Evansmeade Common NW was on fire. Crews were dispatched to the scene where they reported a fire in two-story single-family homes, according to a news release Saturday morning. A second alarm was raised to ensure sufficient resources were on scene.

Homes were evacuated and crews began using aerial water currents to fight the flames.

Calgary Fire said the two homes have been significantly damaged by the fire and three surrounding homes sustained minor heat damage. Three adults and six children were safely removed from the houses. Investigators are working to determine the cause and origin of the fire while AHS and Calgary Police were on scene to help keep everyone safe.

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Anyone with photos or videos of the fire is asked to contact the Calgary Fire Department.

The two fires early Saturday morning come hours after several homes in Evanston were damaged by flames Friday that spread in high winds. Two sets of duplexes were destroyed, leaving four residences uninhabitable. Three other residences were damaged from heat exposure.

Investigators are working to identify the cause of the fire, which was not considered suspicious and no injuries were reported.

The two-alarm fire had 21 sets at the scene, while Calgary Police Service and Alberta Health Services also responded to the call. Enmax and ATCO were on the scene to control the utilities.

— Archived by Josh Aldrich

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