Police search for suspect accused of sparking King Street pedestrian bridge fire

Toronto police are asking for the public's help to locate a man suspected of lighting a fire that damaged the King Street pedestrian bridge Friday night.

Police said they were called to the bridge that connects Douro Street in Liberty Village to Western Battery Road with reports of a blaze at 7:55 p.m. on Friday. People nearby called in, reporting "small explosions could be heard," a police spokesperson told CBC News.

Photos posted to a neighbourhood Facebook group show strong flames overtaking a section of the bridge.

The area was evacuated quickly, police said and there have been no reported injuries. According to the police report, the fire was out by 8:30. 

On Saturday afternoon, the police spokesperson said the Fire Marshall has deemed arson to be the cause of the fire. 

In a news release, police said the suspect set an unidentified amount of combustible material on fire, causing "significant damage" to the bridge. A video released by police shows a man in a dark coat and wearing a backpack walking near one of the entrances to the bridge at night.

Police said the suspect is described as having a thin build, and dark-coloured hair. He was wearing a long black jacket, black pants, and carrying a dark backpack.

The bridge over the Metrolinx rail corridor was closed as of Saturday afternoon as city engineers evaluate its structural soundness. The city put up barriers to keep people out as its structural engineers evaluate "the condition of the bridge." 

"Further inspections are required and are being coordinated as quickly as possible," city spokesperson Alex Burke said via email.