Hamilton is continuing to see an increase in fires , in part driven by a growing number of arsons that include several serial arsonists in the last year.

According to police, Hamilton has had about 460 fires this year, as of this week. That is up about 12 per cent over the 411 fires as of this time last year. In all of 2024, there were about 520 fires.

That increase is concerning for Hamilton police Det. Greg Blunsdon, of the arson unit, who noted it includes a nearly 30 per cent jump in arsons this year.

As of Oct. 21, there had been 146 arsons this year, compared with 115 at the same time last year. There were seven arsons alone over last weekend, he said.

“That’s a significant increase,” Blunsdon said.

Among those arsons are at least eight serial arsonists — the same person setti

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