Between October and November 2025, EPS began investigating a pattern of suspicious fires at newly constructed homes in established neighbourhoods. In total, five properties under construction were deliberately set on fire. While no injuries were reported, several of the incidents posed significant risk to nearby occupied homes, resulting in emergency evacuations and property damage extending beyond the primary sites.
Given the concerning pattern, EPS investigators undertook an extensive and coordinated investigation that involved detailed forensic analysis, scene examinations, and the review of evidence across multiple locations over several months.
Through this investigation, police identified a suspect believed to be connected to the fires, as well as related property offences linked to the affected sites. On Nov. 13, 2025, the suspect, who was on parole at the time, was arrested for a parole violation. His parole was subsequently revoked, and he remained in custody while investigators continued to advance the file.
On May 27, 2026, 40-year-old Peter Jones was charged with 27 criminal offences, including arson with disregard for human life (x5), break and enter to commit arson (x5), possession of property obtained by crime (x5), and trafficking in property obtained by crime (x4).
Jones was already in custody at the time the charges were laid, and remains incarcerated.
“Arson causes serious risk, particularly in residential areas, where fires can spread rapidly and place both responding personnel and the public in danger,” says Insp. Jonathan Morrison, with the EPS Investigative Support Division. “The EPS has a specialized team of investigators who work closely with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services to determine the cause of suspicious fires and identify those responsible.”
Anyone with information about suspicious fires is urged to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567.