A fire at a home in Toronto’s west end that sent four people to the hospital last month is now being investigated as suspicious, Toronto police say.
The blaze broke out on Sept. 8, just after 3 a.m., at a house at 36 Boustead Ave., in the High Park-Swansea neighbourhood near Dundas Street West and Bloor Street West.
Paramedics said at the time that a youth was rushed to a burn centre with unspecified injuries. The other three victims, an adult and two children, were transported to a local hospital with minor smoke inhalation.
Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop later told CP24 that this fire involved a lithium-ion battery.
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Police, OFM seen at scene this week
For at least three days this week, several vehicles belonging to Toronto Police Service (TPS), including those from Forensic Identification Services, were spotted outside the residence.
The Office of the Fire Marshall (OFM) was also observed there.
“I can confirm that this fire is being investigated as suspicious alongside the OFM,” TPS Const. Viktor Sarudi told CP24 on Wednesday.
Sarudi said the fire was being investigated by the fire marshall, which led to a further investigation by Toronto police.
“We are on scene currently for a police operation; however, I cannot disclose those details,” the media officer wrote in an email.
Investigators previously said they “can’t speak to the details” but are on scene ”as part of a police investigation."
The OFM has confirmed that it “has been involved in the investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire, working collaboratively with Toronto Police.”
“Given that Toronto Police Service is leading the ongoing police investigation, any further inquiries regarding the circumstances of the incident, its suspicious nature, or current police activities at the scene would be best directed to their Media Relations Unit,” Jim Demetriou, of the Office of the Fire Marshal, told CP24.
“(We) will continue to support our investigative partners as required.”
Toronto fire responded to call there on Wednesday
Toronto Fire Service was also seen outside the two-storey, red brick house on Wednesday.
A spokesperson told CP24 that they responded to a “medical call” at that address at around 1:15 p.m.
“As there is an ongoing investigation, I do not have any further details,” they said.
A TPS media officer confirmed to CTV News Toronto that there was a “chemical incident” at that address, “but this was not serious.”
“It was a member of the OFM office who was there as a part of the investigation. The injuries are minor and were accidental in nature,” they said.
With files from CTV News Toronto’s Chris Fox
