Residents are finally beginning to return to their apartments at 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive after enduring over five weeks of displacement due to a devastating five-alarm fire. The incident, which took place on November 27, forced over 400 residents from both 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive and the adjacent 21 Overlea Boulevard to evacuate their homes. The fire ignited in the walls separating the two buildings, leading to concerns over high carbon monoxide levels.
It took firefighters until December 15 to completely extinguish the blaze, a process that was complicated by the materials in the gap between the buildings, which included compressed wood that burns slowly. Fire Chief Jim Jessop described the fire as "unprecedented and extremely challenging," noting that the narrow space between the walls, measuring only 25 to 50 millimeters, hindered direct access for firefighting efforts.
While the official cause of the fire is still under investigation, initial reports suggest it may have originated in the building's parking garage, subsequently spreading upwards. Following the incident, management issued a memo approving a phased return for residents, starting from Sunday evening into Monday morning. Chief Building Official and Executive Director of Toronto Building, Kamal Gogna, indicated that the City of Toronto verified that all apartments, except for 16 units along the shared wall, were safe for occupancy within hours of receiving assessments from third-party inspection firms.
In contrast, residents of the neighboring 21 Overlea Boulevard remain displaced, with no official timeline for their return. This has been particularly challenging for many families, who have been living in local hotels throughout the holiday period. One resident from 11 Thorncliffe Park Drive expressed relief at being allowed back, emphasizing the diligent upkeep and management of the building prior to the fire. She remarked, “It’s a shame that this happened in this building. Management has done the best job for us while we were out.”
While many residents are relieved to be returning home, renovation crews are still actively working on site to ensure the safety and integrity of the buildings. Another resident from 21 Overlea Boulevard shared their hope that they would be able to return to their own home by the following week. Overall, the situation remains fluid as repairs continue and residents await further updates on their living conditions.
