5-alarm fire destroys downtown noodle bar

By News Staff

No injuries have been reported after a large fire destroyed a restaurant and spread to neighbouring homes near the Art Gallery of Ontario Friday afternoon.

The fire started around 1:30 p.m. at Ryus Noodle Bar on Baldwin Street, near Dundas Street West and University Avenue, and quickly spread to the attic, where the flames were contained.

The buildings on either side had substantial smoke and water damage.

Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Pegg said four units with a connecting roof were affected.

“This type of structure poses some unique challenges because there’s one roof structure across … so once the fire breaches up into the attic, it has a relatively uninhibited path across all four (units),” he explained. “Very, very tough for our crews to get at.”

While Pegg said the fire was “fairly significant,” he added it is being contained.

“We’re doing very well here. We have not yet declared the fire under control technically, although the command team and our operations crews are confident that the forward progress has been controlled,” he explained.

No injuries have been reported but the first crews to arrive on scene found a dog in one of the units.

“The dog was safe and sound and has been handed off in good condition,” Pegg said.

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