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Man, woman charged in fatal Dupont Street house fire

Man, woman charged in fatal Dupont Street house fire

Police have charged two people in connection with the death of a man in a house fire last May.

On Sunday, May 17, Toronto police and firefighters were called to a home at 1569 Dupont Street, near Perth Avenue, shortly after midnight.

At the time, Capt. Mike Strapko said firefighters found the second floor of the home fully engulfed in flames, but were able to knock down the blaze within 11 minutes.

When firefighters entered the home, they found a man without vital signs on the third floor.

"There was a lot of heat and smoke up there," he said.

Firefighters tried to revive the victim, but he could not be saved. Police have identified him as Paul Ventura, 43, of Toronto.

On Thursday, police said that after a "lengthy and ongoing investigation" including input from the Ontario Fire Marshal's office, "it was determined that the fire was not an accident."

Police allege that a 47-year-old man visiting the home set it on fire while Ventura was inside.

Police have arrested John Jackman, 47, and charged him with first-degree murder and arson disregard for human life.

He was scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall on Thursday morning.

Police have also arrested Lulieta Dalipi, 43, of Toronto. She has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder and attempting to obstruct justice.

She was scheduled to appear in court Thursday morning at College Park.

Despite the arrests, the investigation is ongoing, police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS.