More than 24 hours after they were called to a fire at two Thorncliffe Park apartment buildings, crews are still battling the blaze that’s spreading through insulation behind the walls.
Emergency personnel were called to the area at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday for what was initially a two-alarm fire. The situation rapidly escalated and at one point, the blaze was classified as a five-alarm fire.
“What we thought would have been a normal fire for us to put out has turned out to be one of the more complex fire situations we have had in a long time in this city,” he told reporters Friday morning outside the buildings, located at 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr. and 21 Overlea Blvd.
In an update on Friday afternoon, Toronto Fire Division Commander Rob Hewson said while crews were still actively fighting the “stubborn” blaze, they’ve managed to lower carbon monoxide (CO) levels and floor-to-floor temperatures, which he called “positive news.”
“We do not have eyes on the fire. It is behind walls, so we can’t get a visual on how our progress is, so that’s how we’re doing it. We’re using temperature readings and CO levels to kind of give us an idea of how the progress is,” Hewson said, noting the fire has been downgraded from a five-alarm to a one-alarm.
He noted that fire operations have been challenging due to the location of the flames, which is in between two walls of the highrises.
“We only have limited access to apply water to the fire, and that’s why it is challenging,” the division commander said.
Earlier, Chief Jessop noted that crews had to be “very meticulous and methodical” in their approach.
“The firefighters can’t just start cutting into walls and roofs of highrise buildings given gas lines, given hydro and power lines. So we have been making very calculated cuts. We’ve been applying foam, we’ve been applying water.”
The cause, origin and circumstances of the fire are still unknown. Though, Hewson said there was an “ignition point” in the underground parking lot.
No timeline for when displaced residents could return home
The fire displaced residents in both buildings after the decision was made to evacuate all 408 units in the two structures.
Chief Jessop said this morning that it could be a “prolonged event.”
“I want to stress our primary focus is never to de-house. That is only as a last-minute resort, but given the levels of carbon monoxide, given every time we thought we had it under control it came back up, the decision was made,” Jessop said.
On Friday afternoon, Hewson still could not provide a timeline for when residents can expect to return to their homes.
“We’re still active firefighting and air monitoring. The good news is the temperatures and CO are going down, but we can’t predict a timeline right now,” the division commander said.
Mayor Olivia Chow, who spoke to reporters at the scene on Friday, said the city was working with the Red Cross to support displaced residents.
“My heart goes out to all the of residents that had to leave their homes last night. We are here for you. You are not alone,” she said.
“I know how stressful and frightening it would be, losing access to your home, worrying about your safety, wondering when you will be able to return. I know it is difficult.”
The Red Cross told CP24 it was providing emergency accommodations and food for 114 people.
One resident told CP24 they were permitted to go back inside to grab a few of their belongings on Friday.
Another woman said there are many elderly people that live in the buildings who use electric wheelchairs and walkers.
“I heard so many people saying, ‘I got to get upstairs to get my medication,’” she said.
“Looking at it on a positive note, thank god, nobody got injured... They sent a lot of people to hotels if they didn’t have anywhere to go or family to stay with. Anyway, here is hoping tomorrow is a better day.”
With files from CP24’s Courtney Heels and Arda Zakarian
