Three Markham restaurants were set ablaze in a series of overnight fires on April 14–15, 2026, in what York Regional Police (YRP) are investigating as a possible connected arson spree. The fires broke out between approximately 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., targeting two Pizza Hut locations and a Subway restaurant. No one was injured in any of the three incidents.
Investigators are working to determine whether the fires are linked. Witnesses and surveillance footage indicate that suspects fled the scenes in a Dodge Durango. York Regional Police have confirmed they are treating the cases together while the investigation proceeds.
Where the Fires Occurred
Two of the targeted restaurants were located off Markham Road, between Major Mackenzie Drive and 16th Avenue — an area that serves a dense residential and commercial corridor on Markham's east side. The third fire was set near Highway 7 and 9th Line, just before 6:00 a.m., at the western edge of the city's commercial strip near the boundary with Scarborough.
The geographic spread of the incidents — two locations clustered in one area and one further west — is among the factors investigators are examining as they assess whether the fires were carried out by the same individuals. The relatively tight timeframe, roughly ninety minutes from start to finish across all three sites, is considered significant.
Response from the Mayor and Police
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti commented publicly on the fires, praising the response of YRP District 5 and the work of Superintendent Bott's team in moving quickly to the scenes and beginning the investigation. The mayor emphasized that the safety of residents and business owners is a top priority, and that police have dedicated resources to the case.
YRP's District 5 covers much of Markham and portions of the surrounding area. Investigators from the Criminal Investigations Bureau are leading the arson probe, working alongside fire services to collect evidence from each of the affected locations.
Impact on Local Business Owners
Fires targeting commercial properties create immediate financial and operational hardship for franchise owners and their employees. In each of the three cases, the businesses were closed at the time of the fires — which likely accounts for the absence of any injuries — but the damage to kitchen equipment, interiors, and the buildings themselves may take weeks or months to assess and repair.
Franchise restaurant owners carry insurance, but recovery timelines vary significantly depending on the extent of structural damage, the pace of insurance claims processing, and the availability of contractors. Employees of affected locations may also face disruption during any closure period required for remediation and rebuilding.
Anyone with Information Should Contact Police
York Regional Police are asking anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the areas of Markham Road (between Major Mackenzie Drive and 16th Avenue) or near Highway 7 and 9th Line during the early morning hours of April 15 to come forward. Information about the Dodge Durango seen leaving the area, or footage from home or business security cameras in those neighbourhoods, could assist investigators.
Tips can be submitted to YRP directly or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. As with any ongoing arson investigation, police are urging residents and business owners in the affected areas to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour.
What This Means for Markham's Commercial Areas
Arson attacks on commercial properties are relatively rare in Markham, a city that has grown into one of the Greater Toronto Area's largest and most economically active municipalities. Events like this prompt many business owners to review their own security measures — lighting, camera coverage, perimeter fencing, and alarm systems — particularly for properties that are unoccupied during overnight hours.
The investigation is ongoing. YRP has indicated that additional information will be released as the case develops. Residents are encouraged to follow York Regional Police on social media and at yrp.ca for updates.
A Reminder About Commercial Property Security
Overnight arson incidents like these serve as a timely reminder for all commercial property owners about the importance of security preparedness. Well-positioned surveillance cameras with clear sightlines to entry points, alarm systems with direct monitoring, adequate perimeter lighting, and up-to-date contact information on file with local fire and police services are all measures that can both deter criminal activity and significantly improve the speed and quality of any post-incident investigation. Many insurance providers also require documented security measures as a condition of commercial property coverage.
Business owners and property managers who want guidance on improving their commercial security posture can reach out to YRP's community safety programs, which offer resources and consultations for local businesses. Protecting Markham's commercial districts is a shared responsibility between law enforcement, property owners, and the broader community.
For more local news and community updates across Markham and Richmond Hill, visit MarkhamBusiness.com.
About the Author
Local News Editor
Sarah Chen has been covering local news in Markham and Richmond Hill for over eight years. Before joining MarkhamBusiness.com, she worked as a community reporter and has contributed to several Toronto-area publications. A long-time Markham resident, she lives in the Unionville area with her family and has a special interest in municipal government, public infrastructure, and the rapidly changing demographics of York Region.
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