Charges laid over fire, safety violations at Scarborough rooming houses

By The Canadian Press

Toronto city officials say multiple charges related to fire code and property standards violations and zoning have been laid after inspections of nine rooming houses in Scarborough on Thursday.

The alleged fire code violations include the failure to maintain fire systems, insufficient smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and insufficient exits from basement rooms.

“We had a number of homes that are being operated in a hybrid form between group homes and rooming houses that … have been causing us a number of concerns,” said Deputy Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop.

“Generally. we don’t learn about these types of properties until either a complaint — or a lot of times after a fire and/or death or serious injury.”

Property standards violations include cockroach and bed-bug infestations, broken windows, insufficient or unstable hand rails and holes in walls.

The city says three rooming house residents were relocated to ensure their safety.

With files from News Staff

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