Police probe two overnight arsons in Peel Region after building, tow truck set on fire

A tow truck fire is now being investigated as arson by Peel Regional Police. (Mike Nguyen/ CP24)

Two separate overnight arsons in Peel Region are now under investigation after a tow truck and building were set ablaze early Thursday morning.

The first fire broke out at around 12:50 a.m. at a building on American Drive, near Highway 409 and Highway 427 in Mississauga.

Police said investigators believe as many as four suspects wearing dark clothing used some type of accelerant to ignite the building before fleeing on foot.

“Fire crews extinguished the blaze quickly. The extent of the damage has not yet been determined, though the structure remains standing,” Peel police confirmed in an email to CP24.

Investigators from the criminal investigations unit as well as forensic services will remain on scene on Thursday.

A second arson occurred outside a Brampton home a couple of hours later, police said.

A tow truck was set on fire shortly before 3 a.m. in a driveway on Kingknoll Drive, near McLaughlin Road South and Steeles Avenue West.

Crews arrived to find a tow truck engulfed in flames but no injuries were reported.

Police said the suspects fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers.

Investigators have not said if they believe the two incidents are connected.

The fires come just two days after another tow truck was torched while parked in a residential driveway near Balmoral Drive and Dixie Road in Brampton.

Last week, police launched an investigation after three tow trucks were ignited in Brampton within the span of about 30 minutes.