CALGARY - Russell McDougall, 33, pleaded guilty today to eight charges of arson by negligence, and one charge of production of a controlled substance, after a massive $3.8-million fire in the community of Citadel in December destroyed five homes.

The case had been set for a preliminary hearing this week, but McDougall's lawyer Adriano Iovinelli requested the case be adjourned in light of discussions with the Crown about resolving the case. McDougall was originally charged with 16 counts of arson by negligence and has been in jail since February.

Police allege the fire started inside a basement marijuana grow operation in a home on Citadel Forest Place N.W. shortly before 4 a.m. on Dec. 5.

Investigators said they believe a man connected with the illegal drug operation discovered the fire and went into the house to rescue his two dogs -- but then fled without calling 911 or alerting neighbours.

Neighbours fled to safety with little more than the clothes on their backs, but by the time it was put out, the fire had destroyed or damaged a total of eight homes and did $3.8 million in damage.

More to come . . .