

Chris Herhalt and Paul Johnston, CP24.com





Two youths are currently in police custody in connection with a fire deliberately set inside a grocery store in Vaughan Sunday night, York Regional Police have confirmed.

Police said fire crews were called to a Longo's grocery store in a commercial plaza near Weston and Rutherford roads at 7:30 p.m.

Smoke could be seen coming from the inside of the store when they arrived, police said.

Everyone inside the grocery store at the time and occupants of several neighbouring businesses were evacuated to allow firefighters to extinguish the blaze.

The store remains closed. Damage is estimated at more than $1 million, police said.

According to Sgt. Andy Pattenden, cameras within the grocery store captured two males lighting a bag of chips on fire and putting the burning bag back on a rack.

After the fire was set, the males left the store. They were last seen walking south towards Rutherford Road.

On Monday, police released a surveillance camera video and an image of two suspects sought in connection with the case. A description of the suspects was also provided.

“As a result of coverage in the media and social media, the two suspects shown in video surveillance images that were released have been identified,” police said in an update Monday night.

The two suspects are youths, police said.

“The investigation is ongoing and an update will be issued once charges have been laid.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).