It happened on Friday just before 12:30 pm at Kipling Station.
Police said a man on a bus allegedly threw flammable liquid at a female passenger and set her on fire.
The woman, believed to be in her 20s, helped TTC officials and nearby citizens. He suffered second and third degree burns and was rushed to hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Police said the man escaped from the area, but was later located and taken into custody.
Police are at the scene of an attack at Kipling Station that left a woman seriously injured.
On Sunday, police identified the man as 33-year-old Tenzin Norbu of Toronto. He faces four charges, including attempted murder and assault.
Police also said they were treating the incident as a suspected hate crime after consulting the Hate Crimes Unit.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Const. Alex Lee said the man and woman were strangers to each other. Police said the attack was an isolated incident and there is no danger to the public.
“The issue with (a) random (event) is that we then have to identify what the relationship was or how it came about, what was the motivation,” Lee said. “So in this case, being accidental (is) an obvious cause for concern.”
He praised the “quick action of the good Samaritans” to help the woman.
“The message to the community again is when you see something suspicious or notice something that is not right, notify the authorities immediately. “Be aware of your environment,” Lee said.
Norbu is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
Police continue to ask anyone with information to call them at 416-808-2200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477).
– with files by Katherine DeClerq
