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Edmonton city police have charged a 36-year-old man with arson following multiple reports of fires in the River Valley area Monday night.
Edmonton Fire Rescue responded to a call about a grass fire along Queen Elizabeth Park Road just after 8:30 p.m. Fire officials say following the first call, multiple reports came in of more fires in the area for a total of 10. Six fire crews responded to the scene with Edmonton Police Service and the Air One helicopter providing support.
Drivers were asked to avoid Queen Elizabeth Park Road, which leads to the Walterdale Bridge, while fire crews battled the fires.
Police said in a Tuesday news release that witnesses were able to point out a suspect who was walking through the park on the southwest corner of the Kinsmen Sport Centre. The suspect was arrested without incident and no additional injuries were reported.
Police were unable to confirm whether the fires are connected to those set in the river valley last week as it is still under investigation.
Lonnie Maurice Whiskeyjack was charged with arson.
jlabine@postmedia.com
