Arson Suspected in a Series of Fires

Arson Suspected in a Series of Fires

Michelle Pinon News Advertiser

A string of suspicious fires has given police reason to believe they are all arson-related.

Cpl. Robert Daisley of the Two Hills RCMP Department, said they along with Vegreville and Vermilion RCMP Detachments are working together to investigate a series of six fires that were reported on the night of April 20-21.

Daisley added, “Police are also investigating whether these fires are linked to other arsons in the area.” To date, no one has been charged. “If anyone has information that would assist with this investigation, they are encouraged to contact their local detachment or to call Crime Stoppers. Mike Fundytus, Director of Protective Services for the County of Minburn, stated that: “On April 21 at 0234 the Vegreville Fire department was dispatched by 911 to a structure fire at 53402 RR 142. While on route to the fire 911 alerted us to a second structure fire on RR 140 near TWP 534.

Bales situated on a property 53414 and RR 140 were set on fire on April 21. (County of Minburn/Submitted Photo)

It was later clarified that the second fire was a bale fire at 53414 RR 140. A third fire on RR 144 near Hwy 631 was discovered on April 21 at 11:00 am. The fire had been lit earlier in the morning (I’m assuming around the same time as the others, however, the weather conditions and fuel load were not favourable for fire development at that location. The strong winds had reignited the fire on the abandoned grain bins and they were reported and extinguished.

Upon notification of the second structure fire, Innisfree Fire was dispatched to provide mutual aid as well. Once we determined the first structure fire was too far along to save anything we diverted all but one unit to the second bale fire. It was determined Vegreville had enough resources so the Mutual Aid from Innisfree was cancelled.

Upon initial investigation of the fires and the time of day, weather conditions, and the amount of fires concurrently active in the same geographical area, it was unlikely that the fires were started by natural causes. So the RCMP was notified that the fires were possibly arson. RCMP were notified and made site visits to the fire in Minburn County at approximately 9:00 am.”

This was not the first time there has been a string of fires. Fundytus said that throughout 2019 they had numerous fires similar to these in the Innisfree and Minburn area.

The Two Hills, Hairy Hill, and Willingdon Fire Departments were also kept busy during that same period of time, extinguishing five fires in the area of Twp 540, and between RR 145 and RR135.

“The loss that was encountered were old abandoned buildings and bale stacks stored along the ditch lines of the road,” stated County of Two Hills Regional Fire Chief Brad Straty.

He encourages area residents who may have seen anything suspicious to contact himself, Minburn Fire Chief Mike Fundytus, or the Two Hills RCMP Detachment. All of the fires are still under investigation.

Straty said landowners should be diligent in protecting their belongings. He also recommends rural residents consider installing cameras in their driveways and on properties that have abandoned buildings.