A man is in hospital with life-threatening injuries after a fire outside a downtown Toronto church building early Friday, and officials say a person has been charged with arson.
Toronto Fire Services personnel were called to the property on Charles Street East, just east of Yonge Street, after 6 a.m. A spokesperson told 680 NewsRadio Toronto crews were called with reports of a garbage fire at the property. After firefighters arrived, the spokesperson said they found debris on fire in front of the building.
In a statement released Friday afternoon, Toronto police officers alleged a suspect set a tent and a mattress on fire before throwing other items onto the fire “to accelerate the fire.” The statement said the man had to be pulled from the tent.
A Toronto Paramedic Services spokesperson said the man was taken to a hospital in serious, but non-life-threatening condition. However, Toronto police officers said the man’s injuries were downgraded to life-threatening after arriving at the hospital.
Police officers said a 36-year-old man was arrested not far from the scene.
According to investigators, Toronto resident Loewen Wolfe was charged with arson damaging property, arson disregard for human life, arson causing bodily harm, mischief endangering life and failure to comply with probation.
The accused was set to appear in a bail court on Friday. The allegations haven’t been proven in court.
News Release – Man Arrested in Arson Investigation, Charles Street and Yonge Street Areahttps://t.co/rB0B6WQX3t pic.twitter.com/nAo9NBV9GL
— Toronto Police (@TorontoPolice) December 26, 2025