Arsonist suspected in 5 fires

Photo: Google Maps

The Princeton RCMP is turning to the public after five suspicious fires were set in the Hedley area over the past weekend.

Sgt. Barry Kennedy said there were two fires started Friday; one a grass fire on Highway 3, two kilometres west of Hedley, while the other was a grass fire at the ball field in the town.

On Sunday night there were another three; one at Highway 3 and Nickel Plate Road and minutes later, another started one kilometre east of Hedley on Highway 3. A third was lit a short time after about one kilometre west of Hedley on the same highway.

All five are suspicious in nature, with police ruling out discarded cigarette butts as the cause, Kennedy said.

The Hedley Fire Department responded to all the blazes and put them out quickly, but if they had spread across the road, they would have had to shut down the highway, Kennedy said.

"Whoever is doing this, it's not smart," he said.

The Princeton RCMP is asking anyone who sees people walking in ditches by the highway or involved in any suspicious activities, to call 250-295-6911.