Months after a Toronto man was convicted of sexually assaulting and killing Tess Richey, the young woman's family is suing him, police and others over the psychological devastation they suffered as a result of her death.

The suspect, sitting directly behind the taxi driver, allegedly wrapped a seatbelt around the driver's throat and choked him as he drove, according to police.

Toronto fire officials said the blaze was contained to a three-storey retail building under renovation.