Cochrane RCMP and Cochrane Fire Services are hoping someone, somewhere, has information that may help them solve the case which destroyed twenty-one unoccupied townhomes, damaged numerous vehicles as well as eleven other adjacent properties back in June of 2018.

Constable Kary Moore shares the Cochrane General Investigation Section is once again reaching out to the public to help them determine a cause in the massive early morning blaze which occurred in the Fireside community on June 6th. "Information and details can come in all sizes, the information you have may not seem like much to you, but for the bigger picture it may be the piece we’re missing."

Inspector Jeff Avery with Cochrane Fire Services says through the course of their investigation they have deemed the Fireside fire to be suspicious in nature. "Everything is on the table when we start to investigate a fire; electrical is on the table, arson, careless smoking, anything that we can think of that may start a fire is a possibility. Once we start the investigation we are able to rule out a lot of different things, but unfortunately, we can not rule out arson just yet. That is why it is classified currently as a suspicious fire because we still have a bunch of answers we need."

Agreeing with Constable Moore, Inspector Avery says they take all received tips seriously and encourages anyone with surveillance video to check it out. "Video is always helpful; we have seen a lot of video already but there's always something in a video that maybe you haven't seen in the past or there could be the tiniest little thing in that video that may very well be the final piece we need."

The file will remain open until an answer or explanation is found, says Avery. "We will just keep it open until we know. It could be a few years down the road before someone finally comes forward and says 'I remember seeing this or I remember seeing that'. So we will keep it open for as long as we need to."

With residents providing valuable tips in the past, RCMP is hoping something may just 'tweak' with a community member which could finally close the case. 

If you remember any detail that seemed out of place or perhaps something you questioned that evening, call the Cochrane RCMP detachment at 403-851-8000 or if you prefer to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Lastly, Avery gives a big shout out to all the community members who have already stepped forward with information. "It is very helpful on a big fire like that. Hopefully, there is some more information out there that people will allow us to have and we will go from there."