London Police are investigating the fire as a potentially hate motivated arson case.
London Police are now investigating after reports of a fire on the city’s north end, now treating it as an arson case.
The incident took place on Saturday, June 8 at approximately 10:40 p.m., when members of the London Police Service and the London Fire Department responded to a residence in the area of Wateroak Drive.
After further details have come forward, investigators are now treating the incident as a potential hate crime.
“We’re aware of several other instances that occurred at this property since the start of May,” says Detective Inspector Alex Krygsman with London Police.
“Property damage, theft of signs, a threatening note that was left, leading up to the events of last night.”
Preliminary investigation revealed that a lone male attended the address on foot at approximately 9:30 p.m. and departed with some items he took from the front yard of the residence.
Then, at approximately 10:30 p.m., it appears the same male returned on foot to the residence and started a fire on the front porch before departing.
“The signs were signs that expressed support for Palestine. We are treating this investigation as a hate motivated incident, but we are continuing to gather information and we’ll follow the evidence.”
(Credit: London Police) The suspect is described as a male, 30 to 50 years of age, with a medium/heavy build.
The investigation comes just days after the city held its vigil for the Afzaal family, remembering the loss of of four members during the act of terrorism back in June of 2021.
The suspect is described as a male, 30 to 50 years of age, with a medium or heavy build. He was wearing grey shoes, dark pants, a light grey zip-up sweater with vertical black accents on the sides under the arms, a dark-coloured toque, and a medical mask.
“I want to express very clearly that this is the deep priority for the London Police Service,” says Krygsman.
“We have members from our Uniform Division, Criminal Investigation Division Community Services Unit, involved in response to this in the investigation. I can also tell you that our chief has been fully engaged with the mayor and members of city council since early this morning.”
London Major Josh Morgan, align with others, have begun releasing statements, condemning the incident.
“I am fully aware of how this news will impact members of our community, so let me be clear: like all other forms of hate and discrimination, anti-Palestinian hatred has no place in our city.”
The investigation has now reached national attention as well, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continuing to mention the severity of recent Islamophobic actions.
“Canadians have seen how dangerous and ugly Islamophobia is. We have to keep confronting it—wherever and whenever we see it.”
The fire was extinguished and there were no injuries. Damage to the residence is estimated at approximately $30,000.
Anyone with information in relation to this incident is asked to call the London Police Service at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
My heart goes out to the Muslim family in London whose home was attacked last night in an act of hate.
Canadians have seen how dangerous and ugly Islamophobia is. We have to keep confronting it—wherever and whenever we see it.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 10, 2024
