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Man charged in connection with explosion, fire in Richmond Hill

Man seen leaving scene of blast went missing, but was later found and taken to hospital; he has now been charged with arson, mischief, breach of probation
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York Regional Police have arrested a man after an explosion and fire destroyed a house in Richmond Hill last week.

Daniel Popov, 21, of Richmond Hill has been charged with arson with disregard for human life and mischief to property over $5,000, as well as breach of probation, police said.

On March 20 at 12:50 p.m., the house on Deerwood Cres. became engulfed in smoke and flames after an explosion, with the blaze spreading to an adjoining property, police said in a news release.

Richmond Hill Fire and Emergency Services brought the fire under control, and although nobody was harmed, the house sustained severe damage and had to be demolished, police said.

Investigators learned that a resident of the house had been seen leaving and walking in the area after the explosion.The man was later observed in a white vehicle and not seen again for several days.

On March 23, police investigators, working with the assistance of the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal, executed a search warrant at the site of the fire. The search was conducted over a period of two days.

On March 24, the missing man was located in Georgina, and was transported to hospital.

Popov was held for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Newmarket on March 27.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222tips.com.