Two Toronto residents have been charged in connection with a deadly house fire in Richmond Hill that killed an 11-year-old girl and her 24-year-old aunt and injured three others.
York Regional Police announced the arrests of 42-year-old Camille Netricia Hall and 30-year-old Smart George Idemudia Junior Obanor on Wednesday. Both face charges of arson—disregard for human life, arson—causing property damage, two counts of murder, and three counts of attempted murder.
The fire broke out on Sept. 1 at a home on Skywood Drive, near Rollinghill Road, and was quickly deemed suspicious after investigators found a red gas canister at the scene. First responders rescued five people from the burning home, four of whom were found unconscious.
The victims were all taken to hospital, where 11-year-old Helya Bahari-Kashani and 24-year-old Helya Bahari-Kashani later died. The remaining victims—a 70-year-old, 59-year-old, and 42-year-old—have since recovered.
Police say there is no current evidence linking the suspects to the victims or suggesting they were hired to set the fire. Investigators are still working to determine a motive and the connection between the two accused.
Deputy Chief Ryan Hogan described the fire as a heinous crime that deeply affected the community, while Supt. Jim Kilby emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing, with police committed to pursuing every lead and supporting the victims’ family.