York Regional Police say two male youths arrested after a fire was deliberately set inside a Vaughan grocery store on Sunday have been charged with arson — disregard for human life.
Police said fire crews were called to a Longo's grocery store in a commercial plaza near Weston and Rutherford roads at 7:30 p.m.
Smoke could be seen coming from the inside of the store when they arrived, police said.
Everyone inside the grocery store at the time and occupants of several neighbouring businesses were evacuated to allow firefighters to extinguish the blaze.
The store remains closed. Damage is estimated at $2 million, police said Tuesday.
According to Sgt. Andy Pattenden, cameras within the grocery store captured two males lighting a bag of chips on fire and putting the burning bag back on a rack.
After the fire was set, the males left the store. They were last seen walking south towards Rutherford Road.
Two youths, a 15-year-old male from Bolton and a 14-year-old from Vaughan turned themselves in to police on Monday evening, investigators said.
The suspects are expected to appear in a Newmarket court on Tuesday for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
