An 'escalating series of fires': 7 in north Waterloo in July

Waterloo Fire Rescue Services and Waterloo Regional Police arenow investigating links between sevenfires in the city.

Initially thought to be five, officials announced late Monday afternoon officials are now investigating "an escalating series of fires," in the northern part of the city between July 6 and July 30.

• Waterloo investigates 5 suspicious fires for related links

All of the fires happened in the Lakeshore Village, Lakeshore North, and Conservation Meadows neighbourhoods.

Acting Fire ChiefRyan Schubert told CBC News that the fires were all set overnight or early in the morning.

"We've seen a broad spectrum of fires involving automobiles, sheds, decks and fences,a home under construction and of course... the shed fire that extended into a local business," said Schubert.

The City of Waterloo's corporate security team and municipal enforcement services have increased their patrols and presence, and Schubert said his staff were stepping up fire safety programmingin those areas.