A total of 18 people were sent to hospital after an apartment building fire broke out overnight in Mississauga.

Fire crews were called to the blaze at a seven-storey residential building at 920 Inverhouse Dr., near Lakeshore Road in Clarkson, at approximately 3:40 a.m.,  Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services Platoon Chief Daniel Boyer told INsauga.com.

“We received dozens of 911 calls reporting that there was a a fire and numerous rescues were required,” Boyer said.

Approximately 16 people were rescued from balconies on the third and fourth floors, he said. Firefighters used ladders and aerial fire trucks to rescue the residents.

Mississauga upgraded the response to a two-alarm fire, with 11 fire apparatus, three command vehicles and about 43 staff, Boyer said.

Peel Regional Police said one officer was sent to hospital with minor injuries. A police spokesperson said the officer’s injuries were sustained while responding to the fire.

The building was evacuated, and police said 10 residents were being treated for smoke inhalation.

A Peel Regional Paramedics spokesperson told INsauga.com they transported a total of 18 people to hospital. Two people suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, the spokesperson said.

Just before 6 a.m., police said the fire was out, and some residents were allowed back in the building.

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Residents on all floors except for the third floor were able to return to their units, Boyer said.

There is significant smoke and heat damage on the third floor, he added. Boyer could not provide further details on where or how the fire started. 

Police are treating the fire as suspicious, and the scene remains secured pending the fire investigator’s determination, the police spokesperson told INsauga.com.

Boyer said the Ontario Fire Marshal has been contacted.

Lakeshore Road West was closed at Inverhouse Drive, and Inverhouse Drive was closed at Bonnymede Drive. At 8:10 a.m., police said roads had reopened.


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