1,700 homeless after highrise fire; could take months to determine cause, says Fire Marshal

TORONTO, Ont. – 1,700 residents of a downtown highrise are homeless after an investigation continues into a six-alarm blaze that took place in the Wellesley and Bleecker area.

People will not be able to return home until later this week as Toronto fire officials assess the structural, electrical and water damage to the building, and ensure there is a proper fire alarm system working.

The Toronto Division Fire Chief, David Sheen, said he hasn’t seen a fire like that during his 39 years of service.

“What makes this fire different is the incredible heat. I had guys who were third year veterans on the job, and they’ve never been in a fire this hot.”

The fire broke out just before 5 p.m., Friday, in a unit on the 24th floor of 200 Wellesley St. E.

Fourteen people were taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, and ten firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion.

Residents have been spending nights on cots, with few blankets, at the Wellesley Community Centre, where staff have been providing food and water bottles.

Toronto Animal Services entered the building, Saturday, searching every unit for pets that were left behind. Most of the animals were left without food and water. There is no word on how many pets still remain in the building, or how many might have been lost in the blaze.

Mayor David Miller said there needs to be a community response. Torontonians will need to help those left homeless; however, the city is still determining what needs to be done.

On Friday, while firefighters battled the blaze, debris and embers, blown by the strong windows, landed on a balcony several floors below, sparking another smaller fire. A third fire broke out in the unit directly below on the 23rd floor just before 8:30 p.m.

“My understanding is three units have had fire in the units, but obviously with smoke migration, there’s smoke staining on a number of other units,” the Fire Chief told 680News late Friday evening, “we just don’t know to what extent right now.”

Moments before the initial flames broke out, a woman told 680News that she heard a large bang.

Roberto, who was on the scene, told 680News, “I just got over here to the front, but in the back, they have a small window with smoke coming out of it. Must be a bedroom or something. The whole hallway could be up in flames.”

The building was partially evacuated, but firefighters had difficulty reaching all the residents because of the thick smoke. Many were forced to stay in their units. However, the fire chief said those still in their apartments late Friday evening were not in any danger, and added that crews would be going door to door to assess the situation and fully evacuate the building.

There is no word on how the deep seated fire started, but there were reports that the 24th floor unit was full of combustible material. But officials said it is too early to uncover what initially sparked the blaze.

“Don’t listen to the wild stories. There was a lot of fireload in the unit, but there’s all kinds of tales going around right now,” the Fire Chief told 680News, in response to rumours that the apartment was home to a methamphetamine lab.

No one has been reported missing at this time.

A spokesperson for the Toronto Central Community Care Access Centre told 680News they are asking any clients affected by the situation who have not already been contacted by the CCAC to call them immediately at 416-506-9888.

The Fire Marshal’s office said it may take many months to determine a cause.

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