Misinformation and Racial Profiling Surge Following Milton Arson Fire
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Authorities debunk social media claims linking a suspicious fire in Milton to Diwali celebrations as three teenagers face arson charges.
A recent fire in Milton has become a flashpoint for racial profiling and the spread of misinformation on social media, as first reported by CityNews Toronto.
On Nov. 8, a fire broke out during the evening at 700 Main St. in Milton, engulfing a building located next to storefronts, including the Mainview Animal Hospital. The Town of Milton confirmed via Facebook that the blaze necessitated the evacuation of a nearby apartment building. Fire services brought the situation under control shortly before 1:30 a.m., and no injuries were reported.
Following the incident, CityNews Toronto reports that multiple accounts on the X platform—specifically those known for posting racist content targeting South Asian and Indian people—claimed the fire was caused by Diwali fireworks. Diwali is a holiday observed by over one billion people across Buddhist, Jain, Sikh, and Hindu communities, and fireworks are a traditional part of the celebration. Due to safety concerns, various jurisdictions in Ontario and across Canada have previously implemented bans or restrictions on fireworks during the holiday.
However, law enforcement has explicitly denied these claims. The Halton Regional Police Service noted that they found no evidence linking the fire to any Diwali celebrations. In an email, Const. Jeff Dillon of the Halton police confirmed that no information suggests the fire resulted from Diwali fireworks.
Instead, the fire is being treated as a criminal act. Halton Regional Police arrested and charged three 14-year-olds with one count of arson and one count of break and enter each. The police noted the fire was set in an abandoned building and its origin was considered suspicious. Due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), the identities of the three accused have not been released.
While the Milton incident was unrelated to the holiday, CityNews Toronto notes that previous Diwali celebrations have caused fires in Canada. For example, in October 2025, police reported that fireworks launched during Diwali festivities caused a fire that damaged two homes in Edmonton.