Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services reminding of safety after string of blazes

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) has been kept busy after a recent string of blazes throughout the city.

Just after 4 a.m. Sunday, firefighters responded to a fire at the Wooden Shoe Bakery and Andrew Hilton Wine Merchants.

Both downtown businesses suffered significant damage, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

“The number of fires that have been investigated and events that we’ve had in the city of Lethbridge this year, actually, aren’t a drastic change from previous years,” said Troy Hicks, LFES chief fire marshal.

Around 6:30 a.m. on March 5, Lethbridge police responded to a report of a woman trespassing at the Melcor Centre.

Officers located the subject inside a garbage compactor near the building’s loading dock.

She was arrested.

Police say a short time later, flames and smoke could be seen coming from the garbage compactor and a nearby compost bin.

Audrey Rae Small Legs, 45, has been charged with two counts of arson, disregard for human life, in connection to the fires.

Small Legs was charged with similar offences after she allegedly set a large grass fire near Mountain View Cemetery in January.

“Sometimes, these fires that we have are just opportunistic fires that are there,” said Hicks.

“If you are out there cleaning up and cleaning your yard, don’t leave it in the alley. Don’t leave garbage bins just out in the open where someone could get to them. Keep them out of sight, out of mind.

“We had a mattress fire about a week ago. Same thing we always say. If you are moving and have a couch, chair, mattress, do not leave it in your alley.

“The risk is too high.”

Hicks says businesses can also help reduce risk.

He encourages business owners to keep areas well-lit, remove flammable materials like pallets and cardboard and keep garbage bins locked.

“Fires do happen, but when there’s nothing there to burn, fire’s not going to happen,” he said.

In the event of a fire, Hicks says having working smoke alarms, an escape plan and knowing what to do can save lives.

“In 2025, we ended the year on the plus side of 60 structure fires that were investigated here in the city of Lethbridge, and right now we’re in the low teens, so we’re about there,” he said.

As spring arrives, the fire department says keeping yards clean and tidy can lower the risk of a fire spreading.

Currently, there is no fire ban in effect for Lethbridge’s river valley, but Hicks says that can rapidly change.

“Before the snow yesterday, I checked the numbers, and our numbers were already extreme. It happens in the city that quick,” said Hicks.

“So, as much as we don’t want this snow and things like that, it actually does serve a purpose and helps us out a little bit.

“I want people to be able to enjoy the river valley and stuff, but we also need people to be mature and responsible when they are having a fire.”