Calgary

Calgary police identify and charge arson suspect after 2 house fires in Varsity

Calgary police have identified a suspected arsonist believed to be responsible for two fires in the northwest community of Varsity earlier this year.

Warrant issued for arrest of Dominik Wesley Bird, 24

A home in Calgary's Varisty neighbourhood was engulfed in flames in the early hours of Saturday, June 4. (Helen Pike/CBC)

Calgary police have identified a man they believe to be responsible for two arsons in the community of Varsity earlier this year.

Dominik Wesley Bird, 24, has been charged with two counts of arson with disregard for human life and one count of illegal use of a credit card.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The first fire happened just after 3 a.m. on May 18. The Calgary Fire Department was called to a house fire in the 1100 block of Varsity Estates Drive N.W.

Dominik Wesley Bird, 24, has been charged with two counts of arson with disregard for human life and one count of illegal use of a credit card. (Calgary Police Service)

According to police, a collection of security camera videos showed a man setting fire to a residential shed before fleeing the area. The fire spread to the garage and house.

Police believe the man had been car prowling in the area prior to setting the fire.

Investigators said they believe the same man was involved in a second fire that was reported around 5 a.m. on June 4 in the 1200 block of Varsity Estates Road N.W.

He may have been car prowling in the neighbourhood before the fire was set, police said.

Investigators believe Bird has ties to Calgary and Winnipeg and are asking the public for help to locate him.