York Regional Police have identified the victim of a devastating restaurant fire in Nobleton, a community north of Toronto, as 22-year-old Bassam Mhaidat from Mississauga. The incident unfolded on February 16 when emergency crews responded to a blaze that consumed the establishment just before 3 a.m. Tragically, Mhaidat's body was discovered inside the charred remains of the restaurant.
Initially, authorities charged the accused with second-degree murder. However, this charge has been downgraded to manslaughter. Despite this adjustment, the accused still faces an arson charge, reflecting the gravity of the alleged actions that led to the deadly fire.
The fire erupted in the quiet community of Nobleton, located in King Township, prompting a swift response from emergency services. Firefighters and police arrived on the scene to find the building fully engulfed in flames. Their efforts to extinguish the fire revealed the grim discovery of Mhaidat's body inside.
The investigation into the incident continues as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the fire. The accused, whose identity remains undisclosed, is alleged to have started the fire intentionally. The combination of manslaughter and arson charges underscores the serious nature of the crime and its impact on both the victim's family and the local community.
