A man is in critical condition in hospital after he was rescued from a burning apartment suite in Toronto's east end early Friday morning.
A police officer also suffered minor injuries in the two-alarm blaze, which is being considered suspicious in nature.
Toronto Fire Services commander Lorne Buckingham said firefighters arrived at 1689 Victoria Park Ave. at about 4:30 a.m. to find a second-floor unit in flames.
Firefighters put a ladder against the balcony to rescue a man who was standing there, but the man, after spotting the rescue crew, went back into the burning suite and closed the door, said District Chief Colin Campbell.
Fire crews forced their way into the suite and pulled the man from the burning building. The man suffered burns to 20 per cent of his body and smoke inhalation, and was rushed to Sunnybrook Hospital, Campbell said.
A police officer who assisted in the evacuation suffered smoke inhalation, Buckingham said. EMS officials said the officer was treated in hospital.
The blaze was confined to the apartment suite.
Victoria Park has reopened between Surrey Avenue and Sweeney Drive.
