(supplied/ Red Deer Vibin)

By Ian Gustafson

Police investigating

‘It’s a concern’: City Emergency Services respond to nine bench fires since May 1

Jul 12, 2025 | 6:00 AM

A series of bench fires near bus stops since the beginning of May have raised alarm bells with the City of Red Deer.

A list submitted to Red Deer RCMP from city staff, acquired by rdnewsNOW, has revealed nine incidents since May 1 where benches near bus stops have been allegedly lit on fire.

Four of the incidents were not reported to police when they first happened; and due to the locations of the benches in all nine incidents, there is no suitable surveillance footage.

These incidents have occurred on the following dates and bus stop locations:

• 43 Street on May 1 at 5:33 a.m. (not reported to police)
• 50 Avenue on May 2 (no time submitted)
• Kerry Wood Drive on May 8 at 4:42 p.m. (not reported to police)
• Kerry Wood Drive on May 10 at 9:45 p.m. (not reported to police)
• Davison Drive on June 04 at 4:41 p.m.
• 22 Street on June 09 at 9:12 a.m.
• Avery Street on July 05 at 9:47 p.m. (not reported to police)
• 22 Street on July 07 at 3:31 p.m.
• Barrett Drive on July 07 at 4:01 p.m.

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Red Deer RCMP Cst. Cory Riggs says the most recent fires are still under investigation and that it’s unclear if any of them are connected.

“If people see anything suspicious, contact local police so we can investigate,” Riggs said.

Tim Kivell, fire marshall with Red Deer Emergency Services, said they’ve responded to all nine fires and the city sees it as an ongoing concern and issue.

“Out of all those fires that we [told police about], could any of those have been accidental? Maybe, but there’s certainly an alarming number of them, which would make us think that it’s a concern that the police need to look at,” Kivell said.

The investigation is ongoing.