NOBLETON, Ont. — York Regional Police have identified the victim of a fatal late-night restaurant fire north of Toronto and downgraded a murder charge against the alleged arsonist.
Police say the body of 22-year-old Bassam Mhaidat from Mississauga was found inside the burned down restaurant on Feb. 16.
Police say the accused is now facing a manslaughter charge, downgraded from the second-degree murder charge police had announced earlier this month.
The 22-year-old man still faces an arson charge.
Police say emergency crews responded to a restaurant engulfed in flames just before 3 a.m. in Nobleton, a community in King Township.
Firefighters put out the fire and found a body inside.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 27, 2025.
The Canadian Press
