EXCLUSIVE: Fire captain charged with several weapons offences

By Cynthia Mulligan

A Toronto Fire Services captain who works out of Scarborough is under investigation by Toronto’s organized crime unit — and facing several gun-related charges.

Capt. Kar-Wing Lai, 46, was arrested after police executed search warrants last Thursday at two separate GTA locations and allegedly found more than 30 weapons, sources told CityNews.

He faces charges of careless storage of a firearm, importing and exporting knowing it is unauthorized, weapons dangerous, and possession of a firearm knowing it’s unauthorized.

He had a bail hearing at a Finch Avenue East courthouse Tuesday and was released under strict conditions.

He is not allowed to enter any fire hall in the city for two weeks or access any Toronto Fire Services computers because police are still executing search warrants and looking for more evidence.

Furthermore, he must live with a surety at his Richmond Hill home and stay in his house 24 hours a day unless he is with his surety or going to court appearances or work.

Lai — a fire prevention captain who works with children to promote fire safety — is on the Sunshine List and makes $122,000 a year.

He has been employed by the City of Toronto for 20 years and has never worked as a firefighter. He’s now on leave.

A spokesperson said the city is taking the charges seriously and cooperating with investigators.

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