Toronto police are now saying they don’t believe a group of people that lit fireworks near a Toronto recycling plant last month had a role to play in the massive six-alarm blaze that tore through the building shortly after.
Police initially stated Friday afternoon that fireworks were caught on video being launched from an area adjacent to the GFL recycling plant property near Cherry and Commissioners streets on May 25.
It was believed the video was shot around 12:57 a.m., just minutes before the estimated time Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said the fire likely started.
Investigators had originally said some of the embers from the fireworks landed on the property and that a black pickup truck and white sedan were seen fleeing the area.
“The estimated damage goes as high as $20 million,” Const. David Hopkinson told AM640.
READ MORE: Massive blaze at Toronto recycling plant
However, police released an update Friday evening saying they were no longer considering the group of people lighting fireworks to be involved in the blaze. Police said they’re looking to speak to those involved to see if they witnessed anything at the GFL property.
Toronto Fire Services told Global News that the fireworks were officially ruled out as an official cause, but investigators are still looking into the fire.
Police are still awaiting the final official investigation report from Toronto Fire, which means the exact cause is yet to be disclosed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-5500 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477.
– With files from Don Mitchell, AM640 and Nick Westoll, Global News.
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