A woman has critical injuries after she was lit on fire at a Toronto transit station Friday in what was believed to be a random attack, officials say.
The incident happened during the noon hour at Kipling Station in Etobicoke, which is in the Dundas Street and Kipling Avenue area.
Toronto police said emergency crews were called to the scene at 12:23 p.m.
Const. Edward Parks told Global News the initial reports were of an assault at a bus stop.
Parks said Friday afternoon that updated information suggests a man poured a liquid substance on a female and then ignited it.
The victim was helped by Toronto Fire, Toronto police, and TTC constables. She was rushed to hospital via an emergency run.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Toronto police Const. Alex Li said investigators believe this was an “isolated incident” and a “random attack.”
Li said the victim, a woman in her 20s suffered both second and third-degree burns and was “critically injured.”
Toronto paramedics said they transported the woman to a burn centre in life-threatening condition.
Li said officers arrested a 35-year-old man. The charges are pending.
Li said there was “some type” of interaction between the man and woman, which investigators are now looking into.
He confirmed the incident took place aboard a TTC bus.
Li said officers are now appealing for witnesses. Anyone who may have cellphone or other footage of the incident is asked to contact police.
Toronto Mayor John Tory issued a statement condemning the attack.
“We all pray for the woman attacked at Kipling Station,” he said.
“This is a shocking criminal act that shouldn’t happen anywhere in our city.
“I want to thank TTC employees and bystanders for rushing to help the victim of this attack along with TTC special constables, police officers, firefighters and paramedics.”
Tory said he has spoken to both TTC CEO Rick Leary and Toronto police Chief James Ramer.
He said both have assured him “they are leaving no stone unturned in investigating this matter.”
Leary also issued a statement Friday after the attack.
“Like all Torontonians, we at the TTC are shocked by today’s attack at Kipling Station,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the victim for a full recovery.”
Leary said he has spoken to Chief Ramer and offered “full support as they investigate and work to bring the suspect to justice.”
“I know incidents like this are concerning for our customers — and I share that concern,” he said.
“Safety is paramount to all we do and I am committed to ensuring the TTC remains as safe as possible. We move hundreds of millions of customers every year without incident, but we cannot and do not take that for granted. To that end, we are always looking at ways to improve safety for both customers and employees.”
Leary said the transit agency has “numerous features and programs in place” including TTC constables strategically patrolling the system, working with Toronto police to increase their presence, two-way communication systems on platforms in designated waiting areas, and cameras and emergency alarms in all stations and vehicles.
“We are also actively recruiting new special constables as we expand the size of the unit and have a growing partnership with Streets to Homes that assists people in crisis,” the statement said.
Leary said they are also adding more cameras to stations and bringing in more visible staff.
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