A London man is accused of intentionally setting a blaze that caused $250,000 damage to a vacant building in Old East Village.
Firefighters were called to the building at 790 Dundas Street, just east of Adelaide Street around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. The blaze was so intense thick black smoke could be seen for several kilometres. Fire crews were able to douse the flames relatively quickly, but spent some time dealing with hot spots.
No one was inside the building and no injuries were reported, fire officials said.
Dundas between Lyle and Rectory streets was closed while emergency crews were on scene. It was reopened around 6 p.m. Fire investigators and the London police street crime unit were called in to investigate.
Witnesses provided police with a description of a man who was seen running from the fire. He was arrested a short distance away from the scene.
A 38-year-old London man has since been charged with arson causing damage to property. He is scheduled to appear in London court on Friday.
