TORONTO — Firefighters have extinguished a blaze in a downtown Toronto highrise but hundreds of displaced residents weren’t being allowed back inside their apartments due to a lack of electricity and other services in the building.
Toronto fire officials said one person from the 14th floor was being treated for unknown injuries. However, fire chief Matthew Pegg said no serious injuries had been reported.
Capt. Adrian Ratushniak said calls came in about smoke in the building at 650 Parliament St., south of Bloor St. E., at about 1 p.m. and had escalated to a six-alarm response by 3 p.m.
The blaze was fought by about 100 firefighters, many of whom had to trudge up multiple flights of stairs hauling heavy gear.
Some residents waiting outside 650 Parliament for their turn to grab essentials after a 6 alarm fire in the building. 1000+ people displaced tonight. Mayor asking anyone who can help accommodate them (hotels, AirBnB, private citizens) to email gtaresponse@redcross.ca @CityNews pic.twitter.com/Vnf3cmWzfx— Ginella Massa (@Ginella_M) August 22, 2018
Ratushniak said smoke came from below the building or at street level, but could not confirm the cause or source of the smoke.
He said he expected firefighters to remain on scene until Wednesday morning.
“There has been significant damage to the building and specifically it appears that there has been significant damage to a number of systems within the building — there is no hydro whatsoever in the building,” Pegg said.
Thanking @Toronto_Fire firefighters for bringing the fire at 650 Parliament under control. pic.twitter.com/XcIB02wuJc— John Tory (@TorontosMayor) August 21, 2018
“There are no lights, there are no fire protection services and there is no elevator service.”
Pegg added that a process will be set up residents to enter the building to get necessities once it is safe to do so.
Mayor John Tory said it will likely be several days until all the necessary repairs are made to the building.
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