Police seek links to '97 fires

Monday's rash of blazes started within 55 minutes of one another in four blocks in city's west end

He's not a suspect in the rash of fires set early Monday, but police want to know the whereabouts of a man who was dubbed the "West-End Arsonist" in the mid-1990s.

Larry Wood, who was sent to jail in 1997 for setting 33 fires in the city's west end, was on investigators' minds yesterday after six fires in his old stomping ground caused an estimated $2 million worth of damage.

"Checking into (Larry Wood) is one of the many things I'll be doing," said Det. Marcel Chiasson. "At this point anyone who has a background of arson is a person of interest."

Monday's blazes were started within 55 minutes of one another, between 4:20 and 5:15 a.m., within four blocks bounded by Bloor, Dupont, Shaw and Crawford Sts.

Firefighters scrambled to battle the fires, which spread to 14 properties, levelling three wooden garages, destroying the rear of one home, charring at least four cars, including a BMW, and knocking out phone service to about 150 houses. No one was injured. A cat was the only casualty.

Wood was sentenced to nine years and 10 months. If serving his full sentence, he would be released this October. Chiasson said he'll check whether Wood is out of jail. If so, police may be able to find out his last known address.

This area has never seen so many fires in such close proximity, he said, but right now there are no suspects. "It looks like a person or persons on a mission," Chiasson said. "It's not a prank by kids. The manner (in which) it progressed and the locations chosen * the intent was to commit arson."

Police, who canvassed the area Monday, are asking the public to come forward with information.

The Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal wrapped up its investigation yesterday, sending debris samples to the Centre for Forensic Sciences. Greg Olson, of the OFM, said it could take up to three months to determine if an accelerant was used to start some of the fires, all set in homes that back onto laneways.

A faint smile spread across one homeowner's face when she noticed a contractor, sent by her insurance company, crawling through the rubble of her house.

Sharon, who did not want to give her last name, roamed through her 2 1/2 storey home for the first time since the fire claimed its rear.

The Shaw St. house smelled of stale smoke and a balcony was reduced to a burned frame. ``It's horrendous," she said. "It's rubble."

The most pressing issue on Sharon's mind * how to tell her daughter, who is away at sleepover camp, about the cat, named LT Adam Diamond. It died in the fire.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The contents of this message may contain confidential and/or privileged

subject matter. If this message has been received in error, please contact

the sender and delete all copies. Like other forms of communication,

e-mail communications may be vulnerable to interception by unauthorized

parties. If you do not wish us to communicate with you by e-mail, please

notify us at your earliest convenience. In the absence of such

notification, your consent is assumed. Should you choose to allow us to

communicate by e-mail, we will not take any additional security measures