In a shocking turn of events, a home was deliberately set ablaze early Tuesday morning in the Hillhurst area of northwest Calgary, leaving residents on edge. Emergency services rushed to the scene following reports of the fire around 3:10 a.m. near 8 Avenue and 17 Street NW. Fortunately, fire crews contained the blaze swiftly, resulting in only minor damage and no reported injuries, according to initial police reports.

However, the incident has raised alarm bells as investigators have classified the fire as suspicious, suggesting it was intentionally ignited. To add to the unsettling situation, several residents reported receiving threatening letters that were mysteriously placed on their doorsteps. These notes reportedly demanded bitcoin transfers, leading to speculation about the motives behind both the fire and the threats.

Local authorities are taking this matter seriously as they investigate potential links to similar arson cases that occurred in Edmonton in September and October. The police are actively pursuing leads and are particularly interested in any security footage from the surrounding areas of Hillhurst, Hounsfield Heights/Briar Hill, and West Hillhurst between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

As the community grapples with this unsettling situation, police have reached out to the public for assistance. They urge anyone with information, or who may have witnessed anything unusual, to contact them directly at 403-266-1234 or to reach out to CrimeStoppers anonymously.

The combination of a targeted suspicious fire and the threatening letters has left locals questioning safety in their neighbourhood. What other secrets might this case uncover, and will the perpetrators be brought to justice? Stay tuned for the latest updates as this story unfolds.