Big Toronto fire prompts evacuations
TORONTO — Firefighters poured water from seven aerial ladders and balconies of neighbouring highrises Tuesday in an effort to control a massive and “hazardous” blaze in midtown Toronto that forced the evacuation of surrounding buildings.
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said they were in a defensive mode as they kept the fire contained to the Badminton and Racquet Club.
“We’re confident that the fire is contained,” Pegg told an afternoon news conference, adding that heavy excavation equipment had been brought to the site to knock down walls so that firefighters could get to the “seat” of the blaze.
“Everyone in that building that we know that was inside that building is safe and accounted for, so that’s good news,” Pegg said.
Parts of the roof of the building collapsed, sending smoke billowing over a wide area.
“The condition of the building involved in the fire continues to worsen so we’re still dealing with some very, very accelerated collapse potential, and very, very heavy fire,” he said.
Pegg called it “a very difficult and very hazardous fire fight for our crews,” adding they were initially concerned about the blaze spreading to neighbouring buildings, including a 14-storey, 87-unit condominium that has also been evacuated.
Pegg said it was far too early to speculate on the cause of the fire, but has said it appeared to have begun on the second floor.
Buses were brought in to shelter people forced to leave their homes.