RCMP continue to investigate after a male was found deceased following a residential fire in Wetaskiwin on Dec. 15, 2024.
The fire, which was near 53 Ave. and 45 St., has now been deemed an arson, said Alberta RCMP acting media relations officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff.
"Our Major Crimes Unit continues its investigation into the fatal house fire," he said.
An autopsy of the deceased was carried out on Dec. 18 at the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Edmonton.
Although the victim has been positively identified, the name of the deceased has not been released yet.
"Normally on a homicide we do not name the deceased until such time as charges are laid," said Savinkoff.
Wetaskiwin RCMP were alerted to the blaze just after 5 a.m.
It was after the Wetaskiwin and Millet fire departments had extinguished the flames that a deceased male was located inside the residence.
According to an RCMP release, a witness saw a suspect running from the home with parts of their clothing on fire.
Due to the suspicious nature of the fire, the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit took the the lead on the investigation.
The RCMP are asking for anyone with information about the fire or those responsible to contact the Wetaskiwin RCMP detachment at 780-312-7267.