Two semi-detached homes in Parkdale were badly damaged in an overnight fire that police suspect was deliberately set.
One of the homes, owned by Dave Marshall, was under construction and no one is living there.
Police believe the fire was set on construction debris on the front balcony of Marshall's house.
On the other side of the Fermanagh Ave. semi, Phillipe Corbiere awoke at 4:30 a.m. to the sound of the smoke alarm and his wife and mother-in-law screaming.
"All I saw was whole front of house on fire, and couldn't get out the front door -- too much flame and heat."
Everyone including his 84-year-old mother-in-law and the two cats escaped unharmed through a back exit. But the emotional loss is extensive.
The family lost wedding pictures, and Corbiere's father-in-law was an artist whose paintings can't be replaced.
Police do not believe this fire is linked to several other arsons in Toronto this summer, but still say it is suspicious.
If this fire is determined to be arson, it would make it the 114th case of arson since July 1.
Fire Chief Bill Stewart says there may be several people responsible for the arsons and he warns police will find them soon.
