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Thorncliffe Park condos Fire crews continue to fight a blaze at two condo buildings in Thorncliffe Park that’s been burning for more than 24 hours. <\/p>\nTFS Acting Division Commander Robert Hewson speaks to reporters about the “very slow” progression to battle the blaze. <\/p>\n
Toronto fire crews are entering a third straight day battling a stubborn blaze at two Thorncliffe Park apartment towers, with officials warning there is still no timeline for residents to return home.<\/p>\n
Emergency crews were first called to 11 Thorncliffe Park Dr. and 21 Overlea Boulevard at around 1:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon for what was initially a two-alarm fire. However, the situation quickly escalated and was at one point declared a five-alarm blaze.<\/p>\n
Previously, officials confirmed the fire to have originated from an electrical issue, forcing the evacuation of all 408 units across the two high-rise buildings. <\/p>\n
Despite round-the-clock efforts, crews say access challenges inside the structures continue to slowly progress, as hundreds of displaced residents wait for answers.<\/p>\n
\u2018Very slow\u2019 progress, officials say<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters at Saturday\u2019s news conference, Toronto Fire Services Acting Division Commander Robert Hewson said crews have remained on site overnight as the fire continues to burn in hard-to-reach areas between the buildings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have maintained crews and active firefighting throughout the night. Progression, as before, is still very slow. It\u2019s access issues to this fire (that\u2019s the issue),\u201d Hewson said Saturday.<\/p>\n
He described the blaze as persistent but contained within the structures.<\/p>\n
Thorncliffe Park condos Fire crews continue to fight a blaze at two condo buildings in Thorncliffe Park that’s been burning for more than 24 hours. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe fire is still burning behind the walls. I would describe it as a smoldering fire in a very tight, confined space. And it is still burning and smoldering in there,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Because the fire is trapped between two high-rise buildings, Hewson said crews have little direct visibility.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is pressed in between two high rise walls. We will not have visibility on it. We have very limited access,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
While officials say conditions are stable, Hewson cautioned that does not mean the end is near.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut progress… I look at it as positive, because things aren\u2019t getting hotter and air quality is remaining the same, but that doesn\u2019t indicate that we\u2019re close to the end or anything like that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that this particular case is unique and standard tactics used to extinguish flames are limited.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe other thing that\u2019s quite different is the access to it, where we use large quantities of water to put out fire, this limits us to access points that where we can put specific amounts of water in or it just comes back at us,\u201d Hewson said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Hundreds displaced, no return timeline<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re thinking about the residents, and we\u2019re thankful they\u2019re in comfortable shelter (at hotels), we thank them for their patience. We don\u2019t have answers for them at this time, it\u2019s their safety that we\u2019re taking this much precaution, and there\u2019s no timeline attached to it,\u201d Hewson said.<\/p>\n
Olivia Chow, who visited the scene Friday, said the city is working with the Red Cross to support those forced from their homes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy heart goes out to all the of residents that had to leave their homes last night. We are here for you. You are not alone,\u201d Chow said.<\/p>\n
The Red Cross has previously said it is providing emergency accommodations and food for 114 people.<\/p>\n
TFS crews remain on scene of a 4-Alarm fire in residential high-rise building complex near Thorncliffe Park Dr and Overlea Blvd. pic.twitter.com\/1h31PSgNpQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Toronto Fire Services \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@Toronto_Fire) November 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n