A tent arson at an encampment in the city’s north end was a targeted incident and not a case of someone trying to make an “anti-encampment statement,” police say.
The fire broke out Wednesday when a man doused a tent in a flammable liquid and lit it on fire near a park at Wellington Street North and Simcoe Street.
No one was injured, but the shelter and its contents were destroyed.
Since then, police have located the truck that the accused firebug drove to the scene and confirmed that it had been stolen.
The suspect remains at large.
Police describe him as a 30-year-old white man with short blonde hair. He was last spotted wearing a T-shirt and black jogger pants.
“This incident remains isolated, and there are no ongoing concerns for public safety in connection to this case,” police said Friday, adding that they are still trying to track down the owner of the tent.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact investigators by phoning 905-540-5085.
READ MORE: Hamilton police investigating ‘disturbing’ incident after man allegedly lights tent on fire