A fire with four alarms that tore apart a building in Toronto’s Little Italy on Friday morning left about 20 people displaced, but fortunately no one was injured.
Fire crews were called to the fire at a mixed-use commercial and residential building at 615 College Street just before 1 a.m.
Tim Algar, platoon chief of the Southern Fire Brigade in Toronto, said between 80 and 100 firefighters were on site all night. They managed to extinguish the flames by 3 o’clock in the morning
“We think it probably started near the back of the building and with the prevailing winds last night, it caused all the heat [and] smoke in the building, “Algar said.
“There were no injuries, you know, the general public or any of the firefighters, which is a blessing.”
Tim Algar, platoon chief of the southern command, said 80 to 100 firefighters were on site all night. They managed to extinguish the flames by 3 am (Chris Mulligan / CBC)
Madison Dirlov, one of the residents affected, said she was out of town when she received a call about the fire.
“My cat was at home, as were my two roommates,” she said. The cat is already gone, she added.
Dearlove says she finished her trip to Niagara Falls and returned to Toronto around 5 a.m.
“The twan has failed and we have significant water damage, so all our stuff is completely gone,” she said.
“I managed to get inside just to look for the cat, mostly because it’s like a living animal. Besides, my roommate has a few house frogs that we had to get out of there, but unfortunately, it’s like nothing to save. “
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Peg tweeted Friday morning thanking crews for their prompt action in putting out the blaze. (Chris Mulligan / CBC)
Amr Elmazarici, owner of Egyptian Street Food in Tut, says his restaurant, which opened its branch in Little Italy in October, has done significant damage but was spared the worst.
“They removed the whole ceiling, all the equipment. There is a lot of water damage, but there is no smoke or fire in the units,” Elmazariki said.
“It is very unfortunate. We are very excited and look forward to this particular branch in the summer, because, you know, Little Italy in the summer and all that. I don’t know how long it will take, but I hope not for too long. “
The business owner thanked the firefighters for controlling the fire and making sure everyone was safe.
Toronto Fire Chief Matthew Peg tweeted Friday morning thanking crews for their prompt action in putting out the blaze.
The Toronto Fire Department and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office are now investigating the cause of the fire.
Thanks to ours @TPFFA
– @ ChiefPeggTFS
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