The woman who died in a suspicious fire in the Annex on Friday was murdered, police inspectors say, and they're hoping to find out more about a man they pulled from the blaze.
Fashar Badakhshad, 27, remains in an induced coma in the burn unit of a Toronto hospital with injuries to most of his body, said Toronto Homicide Detective Ian Briggs. So far, no family or friends have been in touch with police or have attended his bedside.
Det. Briggs says it is believed his mother is somewhere in British Columbia. Police say he is not a student and they can't find anything to suggest he has a job.
Mr. Badakhshad has not been named as a suspect, Det. Briggs said, but they need to ask him about what might've led to the death of the 24-year-old woman with whom he had a "relationship."
The fire killed the Ryerson student who was living in a basement apartment at 502 Huron Street, north of Bloor Street, a rooming house popular with university students. Mr. Badakshad had been renting the second unit in the basement of the building since January, Det. Briggs said.
Police are not releasing the woman's name at request of the family. Some next of kin are travelling or are in another country, Det. Briggs said.
The woman was murdered and a fire occurred at the time of the murder, police said in a press release. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday afternoon, but Det. Briggs wouldn't say what it found.
The entire red brick building at 502 Huron has been sealed off since Friday, when fire and police were first called to a fire there just after 10 a.m. It was quickly extinguished within 15 minutes and there were no other injuries, fire officials said.
It will be safe for the other 19 or so residents to return on Thursday, Det. Briggs said. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Anyone who knows Mr. Badakhshad is urged to contact police.