A passing TTC driver noticed smoke billowing from the porch of the Buddhist temple on Kingston Road at the Highland Creek Bridge and immediately notified authorities saving the wooden structure from serious damage.
When firefighters and police arrived they discovered arsonists had left 23 bottles of gasoline on the Temple's porch. This is the second time this year the Mahavihara has been the subject of an attack by arsonists. A previous attempt was made last May.
The last time the attempted arson was preceded by several telephone warnings. But not this time.
While smoke migration was minimal, the fire department estimates the damage from the current attack to be in excess of $10,000.
The fire was quickly put out and the Temple has announced plans to erect a fence around the property and install video cameras.
