RNC Investigating Suspicious Fires

(St. Johns, NL) July 20, 2026 – The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) is seeking help from the public following five suspicious fires in St. John’s over the weekend.

At approximately 11:05 a.m. Saturday (July 18), Operational Patrol Services responded to a fire on the pole line off Linegar Avenue in Shea Heights. A second fire was reported around 1:35 p.m., in the Linegar Avenue vicinity, and a third on Southside Road at approximately 3:45 p.m.

Around 5:25 p.m. on Sunday (July 19), officers responded to a fire on George’s Pond Road, near the Team Gushue Highway. That night at approximately 11:40 p.m., another fire occurred in the wooded area off Old Pennywell Road.

Due to the quick response of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department the fires were extinguished and no injuries were reported.

Fire investigators of the RNC General Investigation Unit believe the fires to be targeted at communication towers and pole line areas. They continue to investigate and are seeking any witnesses or video footage (CCTV, dash-camera, cell phone) from the areas in the one-hour period leading up to or immediately following the fires.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the RNC at 709-729-8000. To report a fire call 911. To provide anonymous information, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com.

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File # 2026-46454

Cst. Stephanie Myers #874
Public Communications Officer
Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
media@rnc.gov.nl.ca

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