Man charged in southside infill arson spree
Edmonton police lay 27 charges related to a series of fires that destroyed eight homes and caused $8M in damages.
An Edmonton man is facing 27 criminal charges in connection with a series of suspicious fires at infill construction sites across southside neighborhoods last fall.
Peter Terence Jones, 40, has been charged with five counts of arson with disregard for human life, five counts of break and enter to commit arson, and related property offences. He remains in custody.
Police began investigating after multiple fires struck construction sites in October and November, with blazes in Belgravia, King Edward Park, Strathcona, and Glenora. Eight homes were destroyed—five still under construction. The fires caused an estimated $8 million in damages, though no serious injuries resulted.
Jones was already in police custody on a parole violation when charges were laid May 27. Court records show a person with the same name was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2015 after pleading guilty to 25 arson charges in Wetaskiwin.
"Arson causes serious risk, particularly in residential areas, where fires can spread rapidly and place both responding personnel and the public in danger," said Inspector Jonathan Morrison.
No motive has been released. Police are asking anyone with information to contact them at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.