A two-alarm fire that severely damaged a restaurant in Scarborough early Saturday morning is being investigated as a deliberate act. The incident occurred at a strip mall located at 1198 Kennedy Road, near Lawrence Avenue East, shortly after 3:30 a.m. According to surveillance footage obtained, two individuals were seen approaching the restaurant. One of them was carrying a canister, while the other held what appeared to be a metal bar.
The video shows the individuals breaking the front window of the restaurant before entering the premises. After a brief period inside, they exited the building—one returning to a vehicle parked in the lot while the other lit an object on fire and tossed it inside. A significant flash of flames and smoke was observed, followed by the second individual hastily returning to the vehicle, which then fled the scene.
Toronto Fire Services responded to the fire after a passerby driving by noticed the blaze and alerted authorities. The fire was intense enough to cause the roof of one of the businesses in the plaza to collapse. Fortunately, emergency crews managed to control the flames before they could spread to other establishments. However, fire officials indicated that structural engineers have been called in to assess the integrity of the entire plaza due to the roof collapse.
As of now, the cause of the fire remains under investigation, and police have refrained from speculating on the possibility of arson. An owner of one of the other businesses within the strip plaza disclosed that the restaurant that burned had just opened its doors for business the previous week. This establishment is reportedly owned by the same individuals who had a restaurant in the area that was destroyed by fire just one day earlier. While police suspect that this latest fire was intentionally set, they have not confirmed any connection between the two incidents at this time.
The events surrounding this fire are raising concerns among local business owners. The timing and method of the blaze suggest a worrying pattern of arson in the area, especially given the recent fire at the other restaurant. Authorities are urging witnesses and anyone with information to come forward.
