Police say two men are facing several charges, including arson, after two separate abandoned houses were set on fire northeast of Toronto.
The first fire was reported around 10:30 p.m. Sunday at an abandoned home on Sideline 34 in Pickering.
The home was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, Durham Regional Police said.
The second home was reported on fire at about 11:50 p.m., on Concession Road 7, also in Pickering.
An officer noticed a pickup truck parked on a hill just south of the second fire but the truck sped away as the officer approached, police said.
A York Regional Police helicopter was brought in to help follow the vehicle and police say it was eventually stopped by ground units, on Major Mackenzie Drive just west of the York-Durham Line.
Joshua Hopkins, 18, and Thomas Pateras, 20, both of Stouffville, are both charged with two counts of arson, mischief over $5,000, break and enter and possession of “incendiary material.”
Both men have been released on promises to appear in court.
