A 19-year-old suspect in a $10 million arson appeared in a Brampton, Ont., courtroom Sunday, facing charges for allegedly lighting two fires at the same Mississauga townhouse complex construction site.
On June 29, a blaze caused about $10 million in damage to a townhouse development at 1820 Burnhamthorpe Road East. On Feb. 22, emergency crews were called to the same complex just before 2 a.m., when another fire damaged a number of units.
The February blaze burned down eight homes, while the June fire destroyed an additional 56.
The Ontario Fire Marshal declared arson to be the cause of both fires.
Last week, Peel police released images taken from a security camera of a suspect dressed in a dark-coloured, hooded rain jacket. They appealed to witnesses who may have seen the suspect prior to the fire being set.
The suspect was seen lurking at the construction site shortly before the start of the June 29 fire.
On Saturday, police arrested Adam Zyskowski, 19, of Toronto.
Outside the courthouse, Zyskowski tried to avoid being captured on camera by reporters who had been waiting for his arrival.
Inside the courtroom, however, he heard the formal charges laid against him -- two counts of arson and one count of wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Zyskowski will next appear in court for a bail hearing, for which no date has been set.
Police ask that anyone with information about the case contact the 12 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453-2121, ext. 1233 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Ken Regular
