Investigators with the Toronto Police Service (TPS) are probing a suspected arson after more than a dozen vehicles were allegedly set on fire at an auto body shop in Scarborough.
The fire happened in a fenced-off parking lot behind Next Gear Auto, located near Sheppard Avenue East and McCowan Road. Emergency crews, including Toronto Fire, were called to the scene just before 2 a.m. on Monday.
Police say two suspects broke into the auto body shop, “poured a liquid accelerant onto vehicles and ignited the substance,” causing damage to several vehicles.
Investigators have a limited description of the suspects who they say were wearing all dark clothing and holding jerry cans.
Danny Uruthiran, the owner of Next Gear Auto, told CityNews he got a call from police about the fire around 2:45 a.m.
Police initially said around seven to eight vehicles were on fire. However, Uruthiran said at least 13 cars were set on fire in the shop’s lot, which had around 50 cars in the space.
No injuries were reported, and the fire has since been extinguished.
The suspected arsonists were caught on camera. CityNews obtained security video showing two suspects who doused the vehicles with gasoline and tossed an object to ignite the flames.
Uruthiran said he does not know why the vehicles on his lot were targeted by alleged arsonists.
“I’ve been living here for more than 15 years, I’m running a business here in this plaza, and I’ve never had any issues,” he said.
CityNews has learned that the vehicles set on fire belonged to customers, who were parked at the auto body shop waiting to be repaired.
TPS officers have been canvassing the area for potential witnesses and video.
