Toronto police have charged a man with arson and attempted murder following a early Wednesday fire in the Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue area.
"The accused attempted to start a fire on the front and back porches of a home (when) five people were inside," police alleged Thursday.
They allege the accused is an associate of a June homicide victim and that he had begun to criminally harass the family of the person accused of committing the murder.
This culminated with the fire being started, police allege.
Const. Tony Vella told CTV Toronto that no one was injured in the 12:40 a.m. fire, with all five exiting the house. However, the house's veranda suffered severe damage, he said.
"But the situation could have been much, much worse," Vella added.
David Obregon, 18, of Toronto was arrested later on Wednesday. He is facing the following charges:
- attempted murder (five counts)
- arson, disregard for human life
- fail to comply with a recognizance
He was scheduled to make a court appearance Thursday.
No allegations against Obregon have been proven in a court of law.
