Community Alert: Three Arson Cases Under Investigation in Prince George

Prince George RCMP have confirmed that three separate fires in May 2026 within the city of Prince George, British Columbia are being treated as arson. Multiple suspects have been identified and arrested in relation to two of the incidents, while investigators continue to work to identify a suspect in the third case.

The fires occurred between May 10 and May 27, 2026, in the downtown and residential areas around Third Avenue, Fourth Avenue, and Norwood Street. While damage in at least one of the incidents was limited due to quick detection, police emphasize that all three investigations remain active, and officers are still gathering information and evidence.

Official Incident Details

According to Prince George RCMP, three separate investigation files are associated with these incidents: 2026-14448, 2026-15537, and 2026-16676. All three fires have been confirmed as deliberately set.

First Fire – 1700-block of Third Avenue

The first incident took place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at approximately 9:00 a.m. in the 1700-block of Third Avenue in Prince George.

• The fire was discovered shortly after it began, limiting property damage.
• Investigators have confirmed the fire was intentionally set.
• Police are still working to identify a suspect and are collecting additional information and evidence.

Second Fire – Near 1200-block of Fourth Avenue

The second arson occurred on Sunday, May 17, 2026, near the 1200-block of Fourth Avenue.

• Officers obtained and reviewed video surveillance from the surrounding area.
• A suspect was identified from this footage.
• The individual was subsequently arrested for arson-related offences.
• The suspect has been released on an Undertaking with a scheduled future court date.

Third Fire – Near 2100-block of Norwood Street

The third incident happened on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, just before 8:30 a.m. near the 2100-block of Norwood Street.

• The fire was quickly deemed suspicious by attending officers.
• Witnesses reported seeing three people running away from the area at the time of the fire.
• Police located three individuals matching the witness descriptions a short distance away.
• All three were arrested for arson and later released on Undertakings with future court dates.

Prince George RCMP report that, at this stage, there is no evidence indicating that these three arson cases are connected to one another. Officers continue to gather statements, review surveillance, and follow up on leads from the public. The investigative approach in Prince George is consistent with how police and analysts review fire-related crime trends in other communities across Canada, such as those documented in CrimeCanada.ca crime and safety profiles for communities like Ashcroft 4 in British Columbia – Crime Statistics & Safety Data.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, confirmed arson incidents are a serious threat to community safety in British Columbia, even when damage is contained. Fires can spread quickly, endanger nearby homes and businesses, and place significant risk on first responders and residents. These incidents in Prince George highlight how crucial early detection, public vigilance, and rapid reporting are to preventing more severe outcomes.

To help reduce the risk and impact of arson in your neighbourhood, consider the following safety practices:

• Report any suspicious activity around buildings, vehicles, or alleys immediately to police.
• Ensure exterior lighting is functional and that areas around your home or business are visible from the street.
• Reduce potential fuel sources by keeping garbage, pallets, and flammable materials secured and away from structures.
• Consider installing or maintaining video surveillance in higher-risk areas; as seen in this case, surveillance footage played a key role in identifying suspects.

These Prince George cases, alongside patterns captured in broader crime datasets across Canada (such as those summarized for communities like Tarbutt and Tarbutt Additional, Ontario – Crime Statistics & Safety Data), reinforce the value of community members sharing information quickly with law enforcement. Working together, residents and police can help deter further incidents and strengthen long-term community safety.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the british-columbia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.