Police say Hillhurst arson targeted random home, may be tied to bitcoin letters

A northwest home set ablaze this week was likely a random target and may be tied to letters demanding money be sent to a bitcoin address, Calgary police say.

The Calgary Police Service held a news conference Thursday to provide more details in its ongoing investigation into the Tuesday fire in the Hillhurst neighbourhood.

Police believe the fire in the 1700 block of Eighth Avenue N.W. was set intentionally, but the evidence so far doesn't indicate the house was targeted for a particular reason.

"We think that it was random, and I'm sure the offender or offenders are hoping they send so many of these letters or pamphlets to people that they'll likely get a small percentage who may respond and send money," Staff Sgt. Kurt Jacobs said.

The blaze was put out swiftly with minimal damage and no injuries, police said, but several nearby residents told officers that threatening letters had been left on their doorsteps, demanding money be sent to a bitcoin address.

While the notes weren't overly direct, Jacobs said he believes the offenders' intention was for neighbours to connect the fire to the request for money.

Jacobs added there have been no reports of Hillhurst residents receiving these notes before the fire occurred.

"Unfortunately, it appears that offenders these days will try to scam anyone any which way they can," Jacobs said. He added that scams such as this arson case tend to go in trends, citing the "grandparent scam" earlier this year.

Beverley Young, who lives in the neighbourhood, said she initially thought the card was a prank before learning her neighbours had also received a copy.

"It said, 'Do not not pay.' And I don't even remember what else was on it, to be honest with you," Young said. "It just seemed like a very strange turn of phrase, as it were. And no threat.

"You really have no idea for sure if they're connected … so you just try to do the best you can, and just live your life."

Calgary officers investigating the case are in contact with Edmonton police due to a similar fire in that city earlier this fall. The fire in Edmonton's Cloverdale neighbourhood was also investigated as an arson, with neighbours receiving notes telling them to pay money to a cryptocurrency address.

"This offender or offenders, whether it's here, Edmonton or elsewhere, have zero recognition and just complete abandon of all safety," Jacobs said. "You're lighting a fire which could catch the particular house and neighbouring houses, and it definitely puts people at risk, and especially in the night when people are often sleeping or disoriented."

Jacobs said they're looking for information and video of suspicious people or vehicles that were in the area on Tuesday between 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. He added that police have one image already of an individual in the area during that time span.