a little too close to home...my neighbour was the one whos fence was set on fire...yikes!

The Calgary Police Service Arson Unit is investigating a rash
of fires that occurred over the weekend in the Richmond Road
and Marda Loop areas.

Several incidents took place on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008.

The first happened at approximately 12:40 a.m., on the Sarcee
Pedestrian bridge near Optimist Park, where culprits placed a
20 lb., full propane tank in the middle of the overpass. An
accelerant was poured over the entire length of the walkway
and on top of the propane tank, in an unsuccessful attempt to
cause a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion (BLEVE).

At approximately 1 a.m., two men were observed lighting a
fire in a park near 37 Street and 17 Avenue S.W. They are
described as 18 to 24 years-of-age, approximately 6’ and 6’3”
in height. They were last seen running north on 37 Street
S.W.

At 4:30 a.m., culprits lit a tree and bushes on fire, in the
park located at Richmond Road and 29 Street S.W., using a red
jerry can.

At 5:25 a.m., it was reported that culprits broke into an
unoccupied, three-story apartment block located in the 2000
block of 34 Avenue S.W., setting a fire that caused
approximately $200,000 in damage.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, 2008, between midnight and 8 a.m.,
culprits threw a Molotov cocktail into a parked minivan in
the 3300 block of 34 Avenue S.W., destroying the van. The
culprits likely used a Colt 445 beer bottle that was
recovered at the scene.

Also on Sunday, culprits set a fence on fire in the back
alley of the 1400 block of 42 Street S.W., at approximately
9:25 a.m., causing approximately $200 in damage.

Investigators are currently working to determine whether
these incidents are related.

The Arson Unit believes two young males may have been filling
up red jerry cans late at night, at nearby gas stations. As
well, culprits may have stolen a standard 20 lb., full
propane tank, possibly splattered with black paint.

Anyone who may have seen these culprits, is missing a propane
tank or has any information on these crimes is asked to call
police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
(8477).