Fire officials investigating two suspicious blazes

Toronto fire officials continue to look into the possibility that two fires started within hours of each other are arson.

One fire being investigated was at the storefront of Harold the Jewellery Buyer, which is a major player in the hotly contested cash-for-gold market.

Staff Sgt. Courtney Chambers says it looks as if an incendiary device was thrown through the store’s front window.

"The fire was deliberately set. There’s no doubt about that," Chambers said.

It started around 2:30 a.m. Monday in the store in the Bathurst St. & Glencairn Ave. area.

Firefighters were able to knock it down quickly, but the store suffered major damage.

The cause is being investigated by the Ontario Fire Marshal along with Toronto Police.

Throughout Monday, forensics officers were examining the scene and looking at video surveillance from neighbouring businesses, but no arrests have been made.

In an interview with Global News, owner Harold Gerstel insisted the fire was caused by a "jealous competitor" trying to "send a message."

Gerstel said his gold, protected by a safe, was unscathed by the flames and smoke.

"It’s unfortunate that people would do these kinds of things, but we’re going to be open," Gerstel said.

Gerstel said he planned to have the store up and running by Tuesday.

"In 24 hours it will be fixed," he said.

Earlier this year, an employee of Harold the Jewellery Buyer was arrested in connection with a hit ordered on a rival jeweller, Jack Berkovits of Omni Jewelcrafters, which is located across the street.

Arson suspected at home previously targeted with gunfire, Molotov cocktail

Hours earlier, firefighters put out a five-alarm blaze at a Toronto home that appears to be arson.

"Right now this scene is being investgated as an arson," Det. Paul Lentsch said. "We consider this very suspicious."

Nearly 100 firefighters and 20 fire trucks were called to the scene on Winona Dr. near St. Clair and Oakwood around 10 p.m. Sunday night. The flames were extinguished early Monday.

The home was gutted and two neighbouring homes were damaged.

The family of four that lived in the home includes a four-year-old and six-month-old. They were home at the time but managed to escape unhurt. Two police officers suffered minor smoke inhalation.

Police say that earlier in December, shots were fired at the home from a passing vehicle, and a few days later it was the target of Molotov cocktails.

A man is in custody for allegedly uttering death threats against the homeowner, although he hasn’t been charged in connection to any of these incidents.

Police are not releasing his name, but are investigating to see if he may be involved in this fire despite being in custody. It’s unclear the reason for the threats against the homeowner.

Global News has also learned that the home was put on the market over the summer, but did not sell. The listing has since been taken down.

The family has now been relocated.

The home is so damaged it may have to be torn down.

House under construction

Two other serious fires were reported over the holiday weekend.

Earlier on Sunday, a three-alarm fire ripped through a house near Leslie and Lawrence around 1 a.m.

Flames were seen rising close to 30 feet in the air.

A home under construction was destroyed, but no one was injured.

Toronto Fire was concerned about the resident next door, but said the fire did not migrate over to the next house.

Fatal fire on Christmas Eve

The weekend got off to a tragic start when one person died and at least one other was injured after a fire broke out in an apartment in northeast Toronto.

The fire gutted the ground floor unit of a building on Swift Dr. near Eglinton Ave.

Emergency workers say a 42-year-old woman was pronounced ead, while her companion, a man in his 60s, was taken to hospital with first- and second-degree burns. A few neighbours were treated on the scene Friday evening.

It’s unclear what caused the fire.

Firefighters found a smoke detector with batteries in the apartment, but it’s too early to say if it was fully functional.

Police say arson caused a fire that ripped through a Toronto jewelry store early Monday.

Fire crews responded shortly after 2:30 a.m. Monday to Harold the Jewellery Buyer’s store.

By mid-morning, the store sat gutted and charred, broken glass strewn across the sidewalk.

Toronto police and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating.

Throughout Monday, forensics officers were examining the scene and looking at video surveillance from neighbouring businesses, but no arrests have been made.

Staff Sgt. Courtney Chambers says it looks as if an incendiary device was thrown through the store’s front window.

"The fire was deliberately set. There’s no doubt about that," Chambers said.

Owner Harold Gerstel said his gold, protected by a safe, was unscathed by the flames and smoke.

"It’s unfortunate that people would do these kinds of things, but we’re going to be open," Gerstel said.

Gerstel said he planned to have the store up and running by Tuesday.

"In 24 hours it will be fixed," he said.