A massive arson fire that destroyed three homes in the hamlet of Conrich has directly led to a new firefighting agreement between Rocky View County and the nearby City of Chestermere, aimed at slashing emergency response times.
Fire Sparks Community Concern and Action
The blaze erupted in the early morning hours of Tuesday, October 29, 2025, on Trinity Road in Conrich, located just east of Calgary. The fire, which RCMP say was captured on home surveillance cameras showing one or more individuals setting a house under construction ablaze, also damaged two other homes. The destruction left residents reeling and raised significant concerns about fire service response.
One affected homeowner reported it took fire crews approximately 30 minutes to arrive at the scene. These frustrations were formally aired during a county town hall meeting in November, creating immediate pressure for a solution.
New Pact Ensures Automatic, Faster Response
In direct response to community outcry, Rocky View County and the City of Chestermere have signed a memorandum of understanding. The key change is that firefighters from Chestermere will now be automatically dispatched to fires in Conrich alongside county crews, rather than waiting for a specific request for assistance.
"Residents in Conrich asked for stronger fire protection, and this agreement delivers an immediate improvement," said Rocky View County Reeve Sunny Samra. "Automatic dispatch brings help sooner and ensures the community has additional support during the most critical minutes of a fire."
The arrangement is set as a five-month pilot project running until April 2026, during which response outcomes will be closely evaluated. Chestermere Mayor Shannon Dean stated the pact formalizes existing regional collaboration, emphasizing a commitment to resident safety in both communities.
Resident Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
For residents like Ravinder Singh Rampur, who lost his 5,100-square-foot home in the fire, the new agreement is a bittersweet development. His family is now renting in Calgary. "It's a good collaboration because they weren't fast responders, but they should have done this a long time ago," Rampur said, acknowledging the pact will improve safety for the community moving forward.
As of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, the RCMP investigation into the arson is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. The new firefighting protocol stands as the most immediate tangible outcome from the tragic event, aiming to prevent a similar loss in the future.
