A Longo’s grocery store in Vaughan has reopened after being shut down for weeks by a fire caused by arson.
Heavy smoke and fire tore through the aisles at the grocery store near Weston and Rutherford roads on May 29, sending frightened shoppers scrambling.
By the time it was stamped out, the fire had caused an estimated $2 million in damage.
Surveillance camera footage later revealed that the fire started after two youths lit a bag of potato chips on fire and then put the burning bag back on the rack and walked out.
No one was seriously injured in the blaze.
Rosanne Longo, who speaks for the company, toured the reopened store and issued a statement Thursday.
“This was a frightening event and we are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and our team members,” Longo said in the statement. “Longo’s is proud to be part of the Vaughan community for 25 years and we are delighted to welcome back our Weston Road customers.”
Two teen boys – a 15-year-old from Bolton and a 14-year-old from Vaughan – have been charged with arson – disregard for human life. The two cannot be identified under the terms of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
The two were scheduled to make a court appearance in Newmarket this morning.
