An update is expected today on a fire at two Thorncliffe Park apartment buildings which has displaced residents for five days. Courtney Heels reports.
Hundreds of East York residents remain displaced after a fire began burning behind the walls of two apartment buildings in Thorncliffe Park last week.
Fire crews were called to 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr. at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday and were met with smoke on multiple levels of the condominium.
Toronto Fire Services (TFS) said at the time that the fire may have been caused by an electrical issue. Power to the building and 21 Overlea Blvd., where the fire had spread, were shut off by Toronto Hydro.
The fire has been burning slowly ever since, and officials believe the insulation may be feeding the flames.
Officials have said fighting the fire has been challenging because it’s located in the walls between the two buildings, making it difficult to access.
Mayor Olivia Chow was asked about the fire at an unrelated news conference on Monday and called the situation “complex.”
“We are housing everyone in three hotels, and we’ll continue to make sure that the residents are supported and cared for the best we can,” she said.
Roughly 400 units were evacuated due to the smoke and carbon monoxide levels. It’s unclear when residents will be cleared to return home.
Emergency accommodations are being provided to roughly 114 individuals, the Red Cross, which is assisting those who are displaced, said Friday.
TFS says it will provide an operational and community update on the situation at noon today.