The latest fire occurred at a residential garage in a back alley in the 5300 block of 44 Street shortly after 8 a.m. on March 14.
“The fire on the garage was still active upon fire department arrival but was quickly contained,” said Olds RCMP Staff Sgt. Jim MacDonald. “The fire damage was relatively minor but had potential for a much greater loss.”
A follow-up investigation revealed that recyclable materials taken from a nearby bin were used to help ignite the fire, he said.
“A charred T-shirt was also located in the vicinity which appears to have been used to attempt to ignite a fence,” he said.
There were arson fires in back alleys on Silverthorne Road on Feb. 1, on the 5200 block of 44 Street on Feb. 11, and on Silverthorne Road on March 2.
Police believe the fires could be the work of the same person or persons, he said.
MacDonald says police and fire officials are taking the arson fires very seriously.
“The person who is lighting these fires may not realize that, if the fire spreads and a life is lost, he or she is facing murder-related charges and a very long time in prison,” he said.
Police and fire investigators have collected evidence at all four scenes and are asking nearby residents to review any closed-circuit TV footage they may have from the days in question.
As well, Olds RCMP officers are now “utilizing the services of specialized units” to assist in the attempt to apprehend the person or persons responsible, he said.
Anyone with information about any of the recent fires is being asked to call Olds RCMP at 403-556-3323 or Crime Stoppers, or report online at P3Tips.com.
