On Sunday morning, a fire incident occurred at a high-rise residential building located at 35 Park Home Avenue in the Willowdale West neighbourhood of North York, Toronto. The Toronto Fire Services (TFS) received emergency calls just before 11:00 a.m., reporting significant smoke emerging from the second floor of the building. Upon arrival, firefighters identified that the fire originated in an electrical room.

In the midst of combatting the fire, TFS crews faced challenging conditions; heavy smoke engulfed the hallways, severely limiting visibility and hampering evacuation efforts. Firefighters promptly acted to rescue five residents trapped in the building. These individuals were evacuated through second-storey windows and assisted down ladders due to the poor air quality within the structure.

As a result of the fire, three individuals were hospitalized. Two suffered from smoke inhalation, and the third was transported to a burn center for further treatment. The severity of their injuries is currently unknown, and details regarding their conditions have yet to be disclosed. Emergency responders were able to control the fire effectively, with no additional injuries reported, despite the circumstances surrounding the evacuation.

In the aftermath of the incident, the situation has raised concerns about the living conditions for the building’s residents, who are primarily senior citizens. Due to significant damages inflicted on the electrical components of the building by the fire, it may take some time before these residents can safely return to their homes. The authorities are working to assess the extent of the damage and ensure the safety of the building before permitting residents to re-enter.