String of construction fires in Edmonton worry infill developers, city

As police continue to investigate multiple deliberately set fires, infill developers are speaking out about the issue. CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg reports.

With eight property fires since September potentially being linked to infill construction in Edmonton, the city is reflecting on what the damages mean for the future of new builds.

A meeting between Edmonton fire, police and the city on Wednesday discussed the next safest steps.

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New measures could include, Ward papastew Coun. Michael Janz said, increased community effort or safer security around build sites in the form of cameras and better-stored accelerants.

“It’s incredibly scary,” he told CTV News Edmonton. “We need to get these fires under control, and we all have a role to play.”

Police are investigating recent fires that seem to have been deliberately set in the Glenora, Belgravia and King Edward Park neighbourhoods between Oct. 18 and Nov. 2. Two fires in September were also linked to infill construction sites.

While EPS say they don’t appear to be connected to a previous arson-related extortion case in the city, nor are they confirmed as arson, investigators have said they are operating under the possibility the recent fires are connected.

In the meantime, those with an interest in developing Edmonton’s infill sites and builders themselves could soon begin facing increased insurance, construction and safety costs, Janz said.

“A fire is not a victimless crime. It affects us all … it’s a life and death issue, and it needs to be taken incredibly seriously,” he said.

Sean Sedgwick, the executive director of the Infill Development in Edmonton Association, said the fires have stoked “confusion and anxiety.”

“It’s something kind of difficult to prepare for … we’re a bit in the dark, so the ambiguity can be hard, and it’s definitely making people nervous,” he said on Wednesday.

While he said he knows just as much as fire or police do in terms of motive, anything impeding development sends a bad signal to builders.

“As it stands right now, people are still committed to going forward with the projects they’ve got in the pipeline,” he added. “But we’re going to be doing what we can to make sure that they’re protected … it’s a resilient industry.”

This, he said, might include improved lighting, cameras, patrols and discussions with neighbours to mitigate the risk of fire.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg and Sean McClune