Four girls ranging in age from 12 to 16 years old are facing criminal charges after an alleged arson badly damaged several homes in Oshawa earlier this month.
The blaze broke out around 5 a.m. on Oct. 6 at a residence in the area of Eddystone and Okanagan paths, Durham Regional Police said in a news release Tuesday.
The home was occupied at the time. Everyone inside managed to escape safely and no injuries were reported, police said.
It’s estimated the fire caused more than $2 million in damage to multiple properties, according to police.
The four girls, all from Oshawa, were arrested on Sunday.
Three of the girls, ages 12, 15 and 16, face one count each of arson with disregard for human life, mischief under $5,000 and intimidation by threats of violence. Meanwhile, another 15-year-old was charged with arson with disregard for human life and mischief under $5,000.
All four were held for a bail hearing, police said.
Fire began at reverse doors of house: Durham police
Durham police Const. Nicholas Gluckstein said a fire was started near the reverse sliding doors of a residence, eventually spreading to the entire home and several other houses.
The over $2 million in property damage falls under the arson charges, he said, while the mischief under $5,000 charges consider the damage caused to the rear of the house.
“I don’t think it was the intention of anyone for a fire to engulf the entire residence, however starting a fire in any capacity is obviously illegal,” Gluckstein said. “These were the unfortunate results of that mischief.”
Gluckstein said there was an altercation between the four accused girls and the homeowners prior to the fire.
Joshua Sonnylal, who lives on Eddystone Path, said the girls egged the targeted house and threw a stone through the patio door before setting the fire.
He said the community is shocked at the girls’ ages.
“We knew they were young but we didn’t know they were that young. A lot of people are lost for words,” Sonnylal said.
He said property management hired security to patrol the area at night after the fire.
“But these kids aren’t afraid of the police, which made it more scary for us because if you’re not afraid of the police, what is a security officer going to do?” he said.
People moving out of area after fire, neighbours say
Sonnylal said a number of people, including renters, are moving out of the area after the fire.
Though the community is still shaken, he said he is happy the girls were arrested.
“They need to learn their actions have consequences,” he said. ” We’re hoping that they get charged to the fullest degree so they can learn what they did was wrong.”
Neighbour Zia Mahmood said he had to move out of his house for seven days after the fire.
On Sunday, he said the community held a fundraiser for two affected families, both of whom had small children. One of the families is planning to move out because they’re concerned about the psychological impact on their children, he said.
“It was a very sad and very disturbing thing for the whole neighbourhood,” Mahmood said.
Anyone with information about the fire or video that could assist in the investigation is asked to contact Durham police or to send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers.