Toronto police have laid a first degree murder charge against a man accused of setting fire to a tent in that city just after Christmas.
Police said they responded to a call of a fire in the Charles Street and Yonge Street area around 6 a.m. on Dec. 26.
They have alleged that the suspect deliberately set a tent and mattress on fire in the area. Police say the suspect also threw various items on top of the tent in an effort to accelerate the fire.
The victim, Keith Appleby, 51, was removed from the burning tent and taken to hospital in life-threatening condition. He died on Dec. 29.
Toronto police said Wolfe was scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 31.
Wolfe was originally charged with mischief endangering life, arson damaging property, arson with disregard for human life, arson causing bodily harm, and failure to comply with probation.
Police said the Homicide and Missing Persons Unit has taken over the investigation.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 (TIPS).
The incident comes just weeks after a woman was injured in a tent fire in Etobikoe, according to Toronto police.
Officers responded to a call from a passerby about a man and woman fighting and an assault around 10:40 a.m. on Dec. 2 in the area of Lake Shore Boulevard and Eighth Street. When they arrived at the scene, police said a woman was found on fire inside a tent that was also on fire.
The woman, who is in her 50s, was given medical care at the scene and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
