Pictou County Man Charged With Several Counts of Arson at Businesses.

New Glasgow Police charge a 30-year-old Pictou County Male with several counts of arson and other offences.

On September 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., New Glasgow Police and New Glasgow Fire Department responded to a series of arsons at several businesses on East River Road and an assault at the Aberdeen Hospital.

The male smashed a window at the Nova Scotia Hospital Authority building on Atlantic Drive and then proceeded to set fires at four businesses on East River Road. The male then assaulted a security guard with a broken glass bottle before fleeing the area on foot.

New Glasgow Police immediately responded and arrested a 30-year-old-male from Pictou County Christian Anthony MacDonald and was charged with the following offences.

Arson (four counts)

Assault with a Weapon

Possession of a Dangerous Weapon to the Public

Mischief (two counts)

Failure to Comply with Release Order (two counts)

Macdonald appeared in Provincial Court in Pictou this morning and has been remanded into Custody to appear in Provincial Court in Pictou on October 15, 2026.

New Glasgow Police, New Glasgow Police Major Crime Unit, New Glasgow Fire Department and the Office of the Fire Marshal continue to investigate.

Source: NGP Release