Medicine Hat Man Charged with Arson Following Weekend Grass Fire
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A Medicine Hat man is facing an arson charge after emergency crews responded to a fire in an open grassy area near 11 Avenue and 9 Street SW on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
According to the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), officers arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the fire and learned that a male suspect had fled the area. With assistance from members of the public, police quickly located and apprehended the suspect.
Medicine Hat Fire Services responded promptly and extinguished the blaze. No injuries were reported.
Police have charged Neil Christofferson, 39, of Medicine Hat, with one count of arson. Christofferson was held for a judicial interim release hearing and has since been released. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court on November 25, 2025.
This is not Christofferson’s first recent encounter with the justice system. On June 3, 2025, he appeared in court on separate charges of assaulting and resisting a peace officer. During that appearance, Christofferson expressed frustration with the proceedings, telling the court to “do whatever the fuck you want,” as the Crown opposed his release.
After an adjournment, he returned to court later that day and agreed to seek legal counsel before his next appearance.
The Medicine Hat Police Service thanked the public for their cooperation and assistance in locating the suspect in Saturday’s incident.
