Pair caught on video running from Forest Hill home moments before fire
Posted May 5, 2011 5:36 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto police are probing a possible arson after surveillance video captured what appears to be two men running from the side of a home that went up in flames early Thursday in the Bathurst and Eglinton area.
“It appears to be two males that are seen running from the premises along the side of the house. As a result of that information this investigation is changing towards a criminal investigation,” explained Toronto police Det. Murray Barnes.
The flames erupted around 2 a.m. at 545 St. Clements Ave. and quickly moved to three-alarm status, prompting the eventual collapse of the roof. The house was undergoing renovations that were nearly complete, police said.
“The one house is a total loss and we have extensive damage to a house to the east side, and damage to a house on the west side,” said Acting Platoon Chief Mike MacDonald. “There’s no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.”
The huge blaze prompted evacuations in the area.
“We grabbed whatever we could including our dog, and we ran out of the house and stood…and watched our house burn,” said one neighbour.
Some residents on nearby Castlefield Avenue were forced to leave their homes and evacuations were also ordered on a stretch of St. Clements.
“I looked out our front window and we’re about a block away and you could see the flames leaping above the trees,” local resident Stephanie Chapman said.
The investigation is ongoing.
With files from Saphia Khambalia.
