Print

E-mail

Text

Eleven Division police have determined that a fire that gutted a Humbercrest Boulevard garage and spread to the attic of the house in the early morning hours of Wednesday was caused by arson.

The Fire Marshal was on his way about 10:30 a.m., according to Const. Matt Marxer, who remained on the scene at 200 Humbercrest Blvd, near Jane and Dundas Street West.

Toronto Fire Services’ Mike Strapko said they received a call at 3:25 a.m. by the homeowner, who was up late working at his computer.

Firefighters arrived a moment later and set about extinguishing the blaze. The second floor bedroom ceiling had to be taken out to get to the attic, he said. The fire caused an estimated $125,000 damage and an estimated $5,000 damage to the garage at 202 Humbercrest Blvd.

“There were seven fires in the neighbourhood last night,” Strapko said. “The first one was on Colbeck near Willard and Windermere. A mattress out front was on fire.”

A fire in a 1990 Honda Civic parked on Magwood Court caused an estimated $3,250 damage, Strapko said. Police say the arsons appear to be similar. Parked vehicles and bags filled with yard waste and leaves were burned, according to 11 Division police, who issued an alert. In some cases, dry leaves were used as tinder for the fires.

The largest fire was on Humbercrest, Strapko said. In some incidences, police extinguished the smaller fires, like the leaf fire on Gooch Avenue, he said.  

News of the fire travelled quickly on Humbercrest, although the blackened shell of the garage was only slightly visible from the street.

Police say there are precautions people can take to prevent them from becoming victims of such crime. These include:

- Making sure all doors, windows and skylights to your house and garage are closed and locked.

- Keeping your vehicle locked at all times.

- Parking your vehicle in a locked garage if possible.

- Checking to ensure all exterior lighting around your home is powered and operational.

- Using your exterior lighting. Install some if you don't have any.

- If you have a back alley or easement, be sure no unauthorized person can get into it.

- Beware of landscaping that may provide cover for someone lurking at night - and a possible source of combustion.

- Trim back trees and bushes on your property.

- Ask your neighbours to keep an eye on your home with the promise you'll do the same for them. Concentrate on houses where people are away on vacation.

- Make sure there are no sources of flammable materials left out in the open, like rags, wood, gasoline cans, newspapers etc.

- Lock and chain barbecue propane tanks (spare tanks included) to prevent them from being used as a source of flammable material.

- Talk to your family about a fire plan and how to get out if a blaze strikes your home. Remember to arrange a specific meeting place so everyone knows all the members of your household escaped the flames.

- Make sure smoke detectors are installed on every floor of your home and they are operational.

- Consider having an emergency collapsible ladder if your bedroom is on an upper floor, to make it easier to escape by an upstairs window.

- Be aware of your surroundings at all times.

- Report any suspicious person or events to the police.

- Do not delay in calling the police. Hesitate only long enough to ensure your safety. Then call immediately. The faster the police are able to respond, the better the chances the criminal(s) will be arrested.

Anyone with information is asked to contacted Detective Judy Nosworthy at 416-808-1136.