Man burned in dispensary blast charged with arson, drug possession, mischief
A man severely burned in an explosion at a Toronto marijuana dispensary is facing mischief, arson and drug possession charges.
Toronto police said the 29-year-old accused, of Smithville, Ont., a community west of St. Catharines, was arrested on Wednesday.
The man is charged with mischief endangering life, arson with disregard for human life, three counts of possession of a Schedule II substance for the purpose of trafficking, and possession proceeds of property or thing obtained by crime, exceeding $5,000.
Police said a 911 call was made about the explosion at Tweeder Medicinal, at 353 Eglinton Avenue West, last Friday at 7:32 p.m. The dispensary had reopened after a search warrant had been executed at the business on May 26.
The man, who was inside the dispensary at the time of the blast, suffered severe burns to his face and arms and was taken to hospital. The front window of the store shattered, leaving shards of glass on the sidewalk and roadway.
No one else was reportedly injured in the blast, which had so much force it pushed a couch through the storefront window.
The Toronto Police Service Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear and Explosive response team assessed the scene with the help of Toronto Fire Services.
Police from 53 Division and the Office of the Ontario Fire Marshal are continuing to investigate. The cause of the explosion has not been released.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5300, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
