Toronto police have arrested and charged 36-year-old Nasser Obsieh in connection with a fire on Queen Street West in the early morning hours Friday.

Obsieh has been charged with one count each of arson with disregard for human life, mischief endangering life, mischief over $5000 and failure to comply with probation.

Residential apartments above the convenience store were evacuated due to extensive damage to the building. (CBC) Police allege that at around 3:35 a.m. Friday morning, Obsieh lit a fire at the front of a convenience store near theintersection of Queen Street West and John Street in the city's downtown core. He then went around to the back of the location and set another fire, police said in a release sent out Friday afternoon.

A group of residents reportedly assisted in attempts to extinguish the blaze but were unsuccessful, police said.

The fire forced residential apartments above the convenience store to be evacuated due to extensive damage to the building.

Obsieh was expected to appear in court at 10 a.m. on November 22.