Authorities are looking into a suspected arson case at the residence of a Member of Parliament in Scarborough following an incident where multiple vehicles were set on fire in the early hours of Thursday, as confirmed by her office.

Scarborough Centre-Don Valley East MP Salma Zahid released a statement on Thursday detailing that an “individual” deliberately ignited her car and another vehicle parked outside her home during the night, resulting in the complete destruction of both vehicles. Fortunately, there was no harm to the property, and Zahid assured that her family and herself are unharmed.

Declining to speculate on the motive behind the incident, Zahid mentioned that she is awaiting the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Speaking to reporters later in the day, she described the event as deeply distressing for her family and expressed concerns for their safety, leading her to temporarily close her constituency office.

Salma Zahid addressing the media outside her residence after the incident where two cars were set ablaze in her driveway. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Toronto police reported that three vehicles were damaged in a fire at Bellamy Road N. and Lawrence Avenue E. around 1:20 a.m., without confirming a direct link to Zahid.

In an update via email on Thursday, Toronto police representative Stephanie Miceli stated that officers are actively seeking video footage from surveillance cameras and are keen on speaking with any potential witnesses, urging individuals with relevant information to come forward.

Neighbour’s Account of the Incident

Victoria Konstantellos, a neighbor of Zahid, recounted being awakened by what she described as a muted explosion while she was half-asleep. She noticed a glow outside her window, which led her to witness flames on the front yard of Zahid’s residence.

Reacting swiftly, Konstantellos and her mother attempted to alert neighbors and prevent the fire from spreading further, as Zahid emphasized how rapidly the flames engulfed the vehicles, sparking fears of potential damage to the house or an explosion from the cars.

Expressing her shock at the event occurring in their neighborhood, Konstantellos shared her experience.

Close-up of one of the torched cars in Zahid’s driveway. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

Nandkumar Chava, a resident living in the attached house to Zahid’s, and a tenant, shared security camera footage with CBC News capturing the perpetrator approaching the parked cars with a jerry can, pouring a liquid believed to be gasoline on the vehicles, setting them on fire, and fleeing the scene.

A subsequent statement from Toronto police confirmed the actions of the suspect, describing the sequence of events. The suspect, depicted as slim and dressed in a specific attire, was last seen fleeing in a black Hyundai sedan.

Chava expressed the distress caused by the incident, highlighting the unsettling nature of the situation and the time taken for the shock to subside,