Edmonton police said the investigation into a fire that destroyed a condominium building under construction in March has wrapped up, and two individuals are facing charges.
On March 15, a fire in a condo building at 10 Avenue and 173 Street in the Windermere area caused an estimated $6 million in total damages – the EPS Arson Unit took over the investigation a short time later.
“When it becomes criminal in nature we notify the police right away and they take pretty well over the investigation from that point forward,” Chief Daryl Brennan with Edmonton Fire Rescue Services investigations said.
Six months after the fire, police said their investigation had culminated in two arrests, and charges laid against both.
“For this one to be solved within six months I would say is rare considering the amount of damage that was done,” EPS Detective Lisa Mah said.
Eric Gould, 28, a construction framer, is facing charges of arson, two counts of possession of incendiary material, break and enter, conspiracy, possession of stolen property, public mischief, fraud, and weapons charges.
Jeremy Thibert, 22, is charged with arson, possession of incendiary material, break and enter, theft under $5,000 and conspiracy
Police said Gould is also facing another charge of arson in connection to a 2011 fire at a residential building site in Pigeon Lake where he was employed as a framer at the time.
Investigators said Gould and Thibert were both contractors working on the site of the condo building as well.
“Mr. Gould was not fulfilling the details of his framing contract at the time and really at the end of the day it was financially motivated,” Staff Sgt. Terry Innes with the EPS Arson Unit said.
The developer, Cove Properties, released a statement Friday thanking investigators.
With files from Amanda Anderson
