Man Arrested, Charged With Arson Following Communications Tower Fires in St. John’s

A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with arson following two suspicious fires that caused significant damage to communications infrastructure in St. John’s earlier this week.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said officers and the St. John’s Regional Fire Department responded to multiple suspicious fires targeting communications towers on July 20.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Monday, emergency crews were called to a fire at a communications tower on Nagle’s Place. The following day, officers investigating suspicious activity at a radio tower on Densmore’s Lane discovered evidence of a recent fire that had extinguished before fire crews were required to respond. Police determined that blaze had also occurred on July 20.

An investigative team was assembled to examine the incidents. While no injuries were reported, police said the fires resulted in significant structural damage.

On Wednesday afternoon, the RNC arrested a 30-year-old man and charged him with two counts of arson and two counts of mischief causing property damage. He was held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

Police said the investigation remains ongoing and continues to examine other recent fires involving pole lines and communications towers in the St. John’s area.