Police tape marks a crime scene in this file photo.JOHN LEHMANN
Toronto police are asking for the public's help as they try to find a suspected arsonist they believe set fire to 10 vehicles and one home in a midtown neighbourhood.
No one was injured in the fires early Friday, but Detective Sergeant Daniel Sabadics says at least six of the vehicles set ablaze in the area of Bayview Avenue and Moore Avenue are "total writeoffs."
He says the house sustained structural damage in the fire, which investigators say was set in the attached garage, but there's no immediate dollar figure on the damage.
Sabadics says a suspect is wanted for a break and enter at a nearby convenience store that was caught on video and police believe it's possible that suspect could be linked to the fires.
He says it appears the cars' doors were left unlocked and items inside – such as papers or clothing – were set alight but there's no evidence that any accelerant was used.
Police are asking residents in the area to check security video, to report anything suspicious and also to keep cars and home entrances locked.
"It appears this suspect just goes through the easiest path, which is an open car or an open garage door," Sabadics said.
A man who was earlier taken into custody at the scene has been cleared by police and released, he said.