Woman who died after Scarborough highrise fire was homicide victim, police say

A woman who diedafter an early morning fire in a Scarborough highriseon Monday was a victim of homicide, Toronto police say.

In a news release on Tuesday, police identified the womanasMaryna Kudzianiuk, 49, of Toronto. She is city's third homicide victim of the year.

Firefighters responded to a call about thefire at abuilding on Bay Mills Boulevard, near Warden Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East, at 3:06 a.m. on Monday.

According to Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg, the fire began in a unit on the 18th floor. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze butfound Kudzianiukwithout vital signs during a search of the unit.

Toronto paramedics performed CPR and took herhospital, where she died several hours later.

Initially, police considered her death to be suspicious. Now, after a post-mortem was performed on Tuesday, police have ruled her deatha homicide.

Homicide detectives are investigating.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7400, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).