Toronto police say a two-alarm fire on Wednesday at a strip mall in Scarborough is ‘suspicious.’
They say officers were initially called to a mixed-use building near Kennedy Road and Eglinton Avenue East shortly before 2:30 a.m. for reports of a break-and-enter in progress.
Emergency responders arrived there to find several businesses as well as a car engulfed in flames.
The plaza contains a mix of commercial and residential units, including a massage parlour.
The worst damage was sustained to a business in the corner unit. While there is no visible sign there now due to the fire, CTV News Toronto was at this same strip mall back in April for another blaze, which coincidentally was also set at 2:30 a.m.
Signage at that business then indicated that it was called “7 Heaven Massage Spa.” A business by the same name and at the same address continues to be advertised online.
District Chief David Bridger, of Toronto Fire Services, says the fire was not an easy one to fight.
“(Crews) did face some significant challenge. Fires did get into the overhang,” he said.
“They had to be ripped open with our saws by a couple crews. We had to bring in another crew to assist because they were burning through our blades.”
No serious injuries reported
Firefighters knocked down the fire and no serious injuries were reported.
Three people were assessed at the scene for injuries, including one firefighter. They all refused to be transported to hospital, paramedics confirmed.
Approximately 10 people, however, were displaced by the fire, police told CP24.
Resident awoke to ‘loud bangs’
A resident of the building said he awoke to “loud bangs” and saw smoke when he ran to the window.
“(There were) clouds of black smoke all over,” said Neil Dillon, who lives right above the spa in the corner of the strip mall.
“I ran out to the other units, start knocking on the door, banging on the door, telling everybody to get out, get out.”
He added that this is the second time a business on the ground floor of the plaza has been the target of arson.
“Something has to take place here right now because this is the second time this (has) happened. Somebody could have died in each of the incidents … you know, something has to give," said Dillon.
Residents told CTV News Toronto they had to escape from the back of the building, as the flames were too fierce near the front door.
A number of tenants are now displaced from their homes, while several businesses at the mall did not open for the day on Wednesday.
Theresa, who has run Chung Moi Restaurant in the plaza for decades, is offering take-out only today.
“I’ve run this place for 30 years and this is second time this happened so … you’re kinda worried, right? What’s happening to our neighbourhood?,” she wondered.
A local barber also noted that this is the second time in recent months that there’s been a fire in the plaza, one that is not accidental.
No suspect information
Investigators have not provided any information on possible suspects.
The cause, origin, and circumstances surrounding the fire are under investigation.
With files from CP24’s Beatrice Vaisman and CTV News Toronto’s Janice Golding
