Police Link Suspicious Fires That Destroyed Two Scarborough Restaurants in Possible Arson Case

Police in Scarborough are investigating a pair of suspicious fires that destroyed two Indian restaurants last week, believing the incidents are connected and may be the result of arson.

The first blaze occurred in the early hours of Friday, May 23, at Shaaz Indian Cuisine, which is located at 2300 Lawrence Avenue East. According to investigators, three masked suspects allegedly broke into the restaurant, poured what police described as an accelerant throughout the premises, and then set the building on fire before escaping. Surveillance footage from the scene shows the suspects in the act.

“Several employees who were inside at the time were able to exit safely and were not injured,” Constable Stephanie Miceli with the Toronto Police Service said in a statement Tuesday. Emergency crews responded quickly, but the restaurant suffered significant damage.

Just over a day later, police responded to another fire at Bisi Bisi, located at 1198 Kennedy Road, near Lawrence Avenue East. In that incident, authorities say two masked suspects again broke into the restaurant, used an accelerant, and set it ablaze. The suspects reportedly fled in a silver SUV.

“At this time, we do believe that these two incidents are connected,” said Constable Miceli. The investigation has been classified as a suspected arson case.

Both businesses, Shaaz Indian Cuisine and Bisi Bisi, are owned by the same individuals, according to their lawyer Rajesh Kumar. “This was not really an attack on a business but a violation of safety and trust in our community,” Kumar stated. He noted that Shaaz has been a longstanding establishment in the area, while Bisi Bisi had only opened a little more than a week before the fire.

Police released images from surveillance footage showing two male suspects of thin build wearing dark-colored clothing, as well as a photo of the suspected getaway vehicle—a silver SUV, possibly a Honda CRV, with a distinct purple light on the driver’s dashboard.

Authorities encourage anyone who may have information about the suspects, the vehicle, or witnessed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the fires to come forward.

Meanwhile, officials also responded to a fire at a Greek café in the neighborhood on Tuesday morning, but police say that incident is not believed to be linked to the ongoing arson investigation involving the two Indian restaurants.

Police continue to appeal to the public for any tips that could help identify those responsible for the recent restaurant fires.