Who Started The Disastrous Fire On When Calls The Heart?

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The second episode of When Calls the Heart season 13, titled “Up in Smoke,” featured a frightening fire that put Hope Valley in danger. Residents quickly tried to protect their town when they first saw smoke, but ultimately had to prepare to leave. Luckily, a shift in the wind saved Hope Valley, though the nearby town of Benson Hills wasn’t so fortunate – it was completely destroyed, along with the recently established Goldie National Park and a new playhouse.

Following the fire and the relief that no one was hurt, Hope Valley’s mayor, Lee Coulter, spoke with Governor Lucas Bouchard, Judge Bill Avery, and Constable Nathan Grant to investigate its cause. Lee believed A.J. McGinty might be responsible, pointing to A.J.’s opposition to the national park and other town changes. He recalled a subtle threat A.J. made to Bill Avery during season 13, episode 1, saying, “see how this works for you, Avery.”

Lee noted the fire wasn’t caused by lightning or trains, eliminating those possibilities. He wondered how the park could have burned down the night before its grand opening, believing it wasn’t simply an accident. Lee is determined to see A.J. arrested, but is A.J. actually responsible?

Cooper and Toby Might’ve Accidentally Set The Fire That Destroyed Benson Hills

Credit: Ricardo Hubbs / Hallmark Media

While Lee believes A.J. was responsible for the fire, the preview for the upcoming episode of When Calls the Heart suggests Cooper Canfield and Toby might be involved. Before the fire began, the two boys went on a hike with Opal Weise and Allie Grant at Goldie National Park to inspect the trail markers. Cooper mentioned he’d packed stew and cornbread for them to eat during their hike.

During the hike, the kids paired up to explore a larger area – Opal and Allie went one way, while Cooper and Toby headed another. They all needed rescuing from a fire, but thankfully, everyone was okay. The episode ended with Cooper hugging his mom, Minnie (Natasha Burnett), but he looked concerned. While it initially seemed like he was upset by the fire, a preview suggested there was something else bothering him.

Elizabeth noticed Cooper and Toby seemed upset and asked them what was wrong. They had been unusually quiet all day. It’s possible they were feeling bad because a campfire they built to heat stew may have gotten out of control. They might believe they caused the fire, or they could be wrongly blaming themselves – someone else might be responsible for how things turned out.

Lee Might Be Right About A.J. McGinty Starting The Fire

Image via Hallmark Channel

While it might seem straightforward, A.J. could actually be the one responsible for the fires on When Calls the Heart. Lee believes this is possible because A.J. strongly opposed the creation of Goldie National Park – he used the land for his cattle and felt it should remain ranching territory. Bill pointed out that A.J. previously prevented other ranchers from using the land, essentially taking advantage of them. A.J. had fought against the park before, but ultimately failed to stop it.

There’s a suspicion that A.J. might have started the park fire as an act of revenge. Bill mentioned to Lee and Nathan that he’d been causing problems all summer. When Lee believed they’d handled A.J., Bill warned that someone who seems defeated can still be dangerous. However, it now appears A.J. is a distraction, and the real reason for the fire lies elsewhere.

Other Suspects In The When Calls The Heart Fire

Image via Hallmark Channel

Investigators are now considering the possibility that the fire may have been caused by the electric company. This company was responsible for installing Hope Valley’s first stoplight, as seen in season 13, episode 1 of When Calls the Heart. Interestingly, Henry Gowen’s son, Christopher, works for the electric company and mentioned to his father that his boss often takes credit for his ideas.

It would be unfair if Christopher got blamed for the fire, especially since things were finally looking up for him, even if the power company caused it. But this situation could lead to a new chapter in the lives of Henry and his son.

It’s possible the arsonist is someone we haven’t met on When Calls the Heart yet. While Lee might be eager to find someone to blame for the damage to the park dedicated to his daughter and the playhouse built for his wife, Rosemary – a former actress – the fire could also have been started by a natural event.

It would be really sad if Cooper and Toby were responsible for the fire – they’re such sweet dogs and wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone. Hopefully, that’s not what happened. But honestly, it wouldn’t be surprising if A.J. was the one who caused it. Regardless, “Up in Smoke” was a fantastic episode of When Calls the Heart, and it’s definitely left viewers eager to find out what happens next with this new mystery.

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2026-01-13 00:18