Man arrested in arson investigation in Christie Pits neighbourhood

Toronto police have arrested a man in connection with two fires that they say were deliberately set in the Christie Pits neighbourhood.

Investigators say fire crews were called to a vehicle fire in the Shaw Street and Yarmouth Road area around 4 a.m. on June 5. Police say a man was seen loitering in the area at the time and fled the scene before they arrived. There was no one in the vehicle at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

Approximately two hours later, fire crews were called to a blaze in a detached garage in the same area. When they arrived, both the garage and the vehicle were on fire. Police say a man was seen on the rooftop of the garage before the fire started and then fled the scene. No one was in the vehicle or garage at the time of the blaze, and no injuries were reported.

Christopher Zachariah, 36, of Toronto has been charged with two counts of arson/fire or explosion causing property damage, two counts of break and enter commit, fail to comply with release order, and breach probation.