Canada - Female suspect wanted in arson at Toronto hotel housing refugees, 2 Oct. 2018

[dotr]

Police release images of suspect wanted in arson at Toronto hotel housing refugees
"On Oct. 2 just after 10:30 p.m., police and fire services were called to the Radisson Hotel at 55 Hallcrown Place for reports of a fire.

When they arrived, authorities extinguished the fire and found that it originated from the third floor. It was later determined that the fire was started intentionally, police said.

Police released two security images Friday hoping that someone would be able to identify the woman."

"She is described as five-feet-six to five-feet-eight-inches tall with a medium build. At the time of the incident, she was wearing a black hooded jacket, dark pants, and blue running shoes."

 

[dotr]

Unrelated?
Coincidentally, LE are also looking for another female suspect in a different, recent arson incident.
Police identify woman wanted for arson in East York fire
"Toronto police are requesting the public’s assistance in locating a 50-year-old Toronto woman, wanted in connection with a fire that’s been ruled arson in East York.

Officers said they responded to a fire at a residential building in the Dawes Road and Victoria Park area on the evening of Sept. 25."
"Police have identified the suspect as Dianna Carroll."

 

[dotr]

'It was like a nightmare': Police investigate fire started at Toronto hotel housing refugees | CBC Radio

Scorch marks were left in the third-floor hallway of the Radisson Hotel Toronto East (left) after a gas can was set alight there on Tues. Oct. 2, 2018. (Julie Crysler/CBC)

"It was like a nightmare," said one refugee from Sudan, who is staying at the hotel with her husband and eight-month-old daughter. The Current is not revealing her identity out of concern for the family's safety.

We were holding the children — even other people's children.- A Sudanese refugee who was in the hotel the night the fire was discovered
She described hearing the fire alarm late that night and trying to evacuate via the stairs.

"We were holding the children — even other people's children — because they were in hurry and they were crying. Most of them they were almost sleeping," she said.

No one was injured, police say, and the residents returned that night.

Police believe the fire was deliberately set and confirm a melted gasoline container and matches were found at the scene. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the hotel, but there have been no arrests."
"The fire was a 'serious attempt' to burn the hotel down, said Mario Calla, COSTI's executive director. (Submitted by Mario Calla)
"This could have exploded and created, you know, [a] horrific, horrific fire," said Mario Calla, COSTI's executive director."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3200 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS.

Toronto police are looking for a suspect in connection with an arson at a Toronto hotel on Oct. 2. (Toronto Police Service)

 

[dotr]

WARMINGTON: Facts don’t seem to matter in North York hotel fire story
"There are still more questions than answers when it comes to the investigation into a suspected arson at a North York hotel two weeks ago.

But one thing Toronto police want to make clear about the investigation into the Oct. 2 fire on the third floor at the Radisson Hotel Toronto East at Victoria Park Ave. and Hwy. 401 is there is no evidence it was an attack on refugees staying there — a notion some have irresponsibly been floating and reporting.

“I spoke with the detective earlier today and there is no indication at this time that the arson is an attack on the immigrants staying at the hotel,” a Toronto police spokesman wrote in an email."

"Police sources tell me there are plenty of other motivations being looked at, including mental health or the possibility of it being a “fire bug.”