Cops probe another suspicious fire downtown

Police on patrol noticed flames, called fire department; no arrests yet as officers investigate

A week after a deliberately set fire devastated a longtime downtown business, police are investigating another suspicious fire just a block away.

The Fredericton Police Force issued an advisory through social media Wednesday evening, announcing officers were delving into a suspicious fire that was discovered at 1:05 a.m. Monday morning in an alley near 366 Queen St., on the same block as the city police station.

A passing police spotted a fire in an alley on this section of Queen Street early Monday morning, and officers are investigating the suspicious incident. (Photo: Google Street View)

“While on patrols, an officer noticed the fire, attended the scene and called the Fredericton Fire Department,” the post stated.

“The brick walls of the adjacent building were damaged, as well as a door to another establishment.”

The force said no arrests have been made and no charges laid though the investigation continues.

Police are urging any witnesses or anyone with information or video footage to contact the force by calling 506-460-2300 or emailing Const. Joshua Killiam at joshua.killam@fredericton.ca.

Those wishing to provide tips anonymously can do so through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477, by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App or submitting them through Secure Web Tips online at www.crimenb.ca.

Tipsters can cite police file no. 24- 26179.

Monday’s fire comes on the heels of another instance of arson just down the block.

MacTavish’s Source for Sports has been boarded up since a fire Oct. 29. (Photo: Submitted/Bill Hunt)

MacTavish’s Source for Sports - a sporting-goods retailer at 288 Queen St. that’s operated in downtown Fredericton since 1968 - sustained extensive damage in a fire investigators deemed intentional, and it forced the store’s closure for the time being.

The warehouse section at the rear of the business sustained extensive damage, as did the rear of the store itself, and all of the merchandise was destroyed or suffered smoke and water damage.

Police charged Joshua Daniel Grant Burden, 49, of no fixed address, with arson and breach of probation, and he’s due back in Fredericton provincial court Thursday for the continuation of his bail hearing.

The Fredericton Independent can be reached by email here.