Crews not sure when 'complex' apartment fire will be extinguished: Toronto Fire chief
CBC
An active fire at two Toronto apartment buildings is being called one of the “most complex” situations in the city’s history, said fire Chief Jim Jessop.
Crews are still on scene, with over 77 firetrucks rotating shifts overnight, after a fire was discovered Thursday afternoon at 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr. and 21 Overlea Blvd., said Jessop at a news conference Friday morning.
He said insulation was slowly burning in the walls and between the two buildings, which has led to smoke and high levels of carbon monoxide.
“This is going to be a prolonged event … every time we thought we had it under control, it came back up,” said Jessop, adding residents of both buildings have been evacuated.
“This is certainly probably the most challenging fire to extinguish that Toronto has seen in years."
He said it was unclear how long it might take to extinguish the fire.
“This could end in 12 hours, this could end in a number of days. We don't know at this point,” he said.
Fire crews have had to take a “meticulous and methodical” approach to the fire, said Jessop, by making “calculated cuts” into the walls to apply foam and water.
The situation has been made more difficult due to the challenge of avoiding damage to hydro and power lines, he said, as well as the challenge of locating “the seat of the fire."
“What I will say is we will be here until the fire is out and then we will be here no less than 24 hours after the fire is out before we let anyone back in the building,” said Jessop.
An investigation into what caused the fire will take place after it has been extinguished, he said.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow thanked fire crews and other teams for their collaboration and quick response to the situation.
She said the city’s priority is in ensuring the safety of all residents in the area.
“My heart goes out to all the residents that had to leave their homes last night. We're here for you. You are not alone,” she said.
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